"I hate waiting."

It's so hard to say goodbye

2010-07-28T20:50:00.011-06:00

I know this blog is all but defunct. I'm still here, just leading a very boring life: school, school, and more school. Well, I'm lying a little bit. I teach; I test; I research; I study. I'm practically an apple product (ha ha. iTest, iStudy, iResearch.. get it?) I wish I could say iDissertate, but it's more like iAvoidDissertating.

At this point, this post is really more for me. To remember. I've been re-reading my blog for just that reason. And I'm so glad that i blogged my life. I think a lot of blogs have slowed down for some reason, and I admit I have a hard time keeping up with reading blogs. But these last 10 days, I've been SO SO SO VERY glad that I blogged some of my life.

I'm just putting off the reason why I came to post. You would think that blogging/writing would be easier than verbally telling people, but as I sit here and compose this post, I have tears streaming down my face. On July 16, 2010, I had to say goodbye to my Cosmo kitty.

Many of you know that I didn't think we were meant for each other. He and his brother, Danger, came to me as fosters. I agreed to take care of them for three months (summer before junior year of college); those three months stretched out to over 15 years together. I got them in early May 1995- things didn't start well. I had an obsession with vacuuming. They did not really enjoy that about me so much. I was used to dogs, where I could give affection whenever I wanted (picture Elmira here). They got used to it. I didn't really know how to pet them, how to predict their jumping behavior, or how to interpret their body language. But we survived.

Can I tell you a secret? After two-three months together, I decided that though I loved them both, i got along better with Danger. He was a bit less excitable, he was more snuggly when i wanted him to be snuggly, and he didn't gouge my inner thighs out when someone knocked on the door. (Cosmo, if sitting on my lap, would dig in for traction as he ran off like a scared bunny rabbit).

He was named after Cosmo Kramer from Seinfeld. While I didn't name him, and he didn't learn his name for years afterwards, he EARNED his name quickly. I remember one night, junior year of college, laying (lying?) in bed reading myself to sleep. Cosmo was stretched out on top of my tall bookshelf. He decided he needed to stretch and did so by pushing off against the wall.

Tall bookcase + carpet floor + new kitty owner + big cat pushing against wall = win for gravity.

The bookcase (filled with books) came crashing down, scaring the living ever daylights out of me. Mostly, i was worried that Cosmo got smooshed underneath all those books and the bookcase. But he was fine. *I* was mad though.

After college, the kitties moved with me to Denver. They rode in the car with me and my parents (who didn't think I could manage to move on my own. I was 22 yo.) I was secretly delighted when they kept running across my dad's head in the middle of the night in the hotel rooms.

In Denver, we enjoyed life. We worked (er, I worked), we went back to school and got a master's degree, and we re-learned to knit! He really enjoyed that last one. He's chewed through almost every single project I've started so far (he always managed to find the working yarn and worked hard at separating the knitted object and the ball of yarn it was connected to...). He liked to sit out on the balcony with me to bird-watch. He loved when the miller moth season would come around; crunch crunch crunch!! He also loved to play a game where he sat between the shower curtain and liner on the edge of the tub while I was, uh, busy, and try to kill my hand as I traced patterns.

Then, someone got the not-so-bright idea to get her PhD. And we moved to Boston. The first year, I was welcomed to the city by some burglars, who stole my laptop, my ipod, and all my jewelry of value. What was I worried about though? The fact that they left the door open and whether my cats had run away, scared shitless. But no. Cosmo had hid himself in the teeniest tiniest corner of the bedroom closet. I felt so bad.

In March of 2008, Cosmo decided he didn't like it so much when I went away on trips. Well, actually, he was sick before I left, I just wasn't aware of it. When I got home, he was lethargic and UNINTERESTED in food. We're talking about the cat who's stolen more food off my plate than either of my dogs. I've caught him with his head IN my bag of popcorn in the past. So, we rushed off to the ER vet.

He was very very sick. Hepatic lipidosis, pancreatitis, and diabetic ketoacidosis. The ER vet told me it would be best to put him down while I sobbed my eyes out. I told her I wanted to give my baby a chance. Every day, he seemed better; every day, I went to visit him 2x per day. A week later, they let me take him home. He had a lot of meds. He needed a lot of care. He spent a lot of time on my lap. He was really weak though. And fragile. He needed help eating- they inserted a tube in his throat and i syringed food into his belly). The tube looked like an antenna, see?

And here's one with him, his antenna, and his brother Danger. Snuggling like usual.

I knew he was going to recover when I saw his little antenna bopping up and down out of the corner of my eye when I was reading in bed. I had been making his 'bed' under my nightstand. Close to me, but not up on the bed (I was worried he was too weak to jump up and down off the bed to use the potty). I couldn't not let him sleep with me, so I picked him up, and put a box next to the bed for him to use as a stepping stone. He used that box almost every night from then on.

After that ordeal (learning how to give him insulin, checking his blood sugar levels, changing his diet, and tube feeding him and lots of other stuff), we became closer than ever. He always did like to be near me, but now he was practically inseparable from me!

I have tons of pics where he's doing just that... touching the mommy. He loved to sit on me. ALL. THE. TIME. So I tried to train him to sit NEXT to me. And it worked most of the time. But he had to be touching me. I think he figured if he had a paw on me, he'd be alerted to when and if I moved.

For two plus years after he first got so, so sick, we've had a lot of fun together. He gave me some haircuts (he liked to nibble on my hair... trying to give me bangs, I think); he learned he liked to sleep under the covers, curled up in my armpit so he could rest his chin on my shoulder; he started enjoying all the car rides. He recovered beautifully from getting his eye removed and became a most dashing pirate kitty.

He and his brother were very close. I didn't know that cats could be in a 'bonded pair' (I learned this term recently) but if any two cats were bonded, it was these two.

So, we're both grieving. Danger walks around the house calling for his brother sometimes. I cry whenever I have to tell people that he's gone. I cry at night when I would give almost anything to have both of my babies tucked into bed with me.

After all this time (almost 16 years together!), he's left a huge hole in my heart and in my life. Some of you might think I'm crazy for how much medical attention I gave him; but I don't regret one minute of it. I miss taking care of him. I miss petting his shaved belly. I miss our snuggles in the morning as I gave him his meds. I miss coming home to him. I miss how he used to duck his head and shove it up against my face (as if to present his royal pate) when I asked him for a kiss. How do you not miss a pet with whom you've shared your entire adult life?

Making the decision to let him go peacefully instead of watching him struggle was an easy decision, yet one of the most difficult things I've ever done. Knowing I was going to be saying goodbye for the last time was heart-wrenching. I'm not sure I've ever cried so much. Through the last few days together, he sat next to me. (Maybe some of you are wondering why I put him to sleep. He wasn't eating, he had had several respiratory attacks of unidentifiable cause, and I didn't want him to have a painful slow death). I think he knew I needed those last few days, even though I had told him he could go when he was having a respiratory attack on Tuesday (7/13). I don't regret the decision to put him to sleep. I just regret we didn't have more time together. And I'll never regret any of the time, money, or love that I poured into that four legged furry fuzzball of love.

Since this here is supposedly a knitting blog, here's a pic of some yarn. With cat. Who appreciated him some nice yarn.

And his little paw. I love this picture.

Goodbye baby. I miss you. I love you.

I have to give a shout out to the terrific vet that saw us through these last 2.5 years of diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, hepatic lipidosis, heart murmur, chronic kidney disease, and lymphoma... and ascites (another nickname for Cosmo was lemon kitty. I think you can see why. Perhaps you are also wondering why it was a shock to me that he's gone. Yes, he wasn't the healthiest. But he was happy. And he lived through a lot of crap that most cats don't recover from).

Anyway, Dr. Doug Brum at Angell Memorial in Boston has been terrific. He saw us through to the very end. He loved Cosmo too. He guided us through every illness and kept his promise not to let me overtreat Cosmo. He and his team emailed me back on weekends and I trusted him to help my baby. I don't say that lightly. If there's a reason I'll be sad to leave Boston, it's b/c I'll be leaving this terrific vet. If you live in Boston and have a pet who has medical issues, try to see if Dr Brum is taking on new cases. You won't regret it.

looks around to see if anyone is here

2009-08-29T21:58:00.011-06:00

What did I really want to do after finishing and passing comps?
I wanted a month of vacation, where I could sit and chill with my friends and DO NOTHING. (outside of basic necessities and whatever I wanted to do).

well, as we know, we can't have everything we want.
After the last post, I did go off to Camp Wanna Knit Knit (our 5th camp!!), which was awesome. I seem to remember CWKK lasting longer though. We were at a great house in Breckenridge, and Stacey outdid herself organizing everything. ESPECIALLY when you think of all that is going on with her family. So, belated THANK YOU to her.

Anyway. We got tons of goodies in our goody bag this year. Everyone was 'assigned' to get a gift bag party favor for everyone else. I'd show you pics of things, but I'm pretty sure that the ppl who are reading this? have a goodie bag of their own, or have read about them on another blog.

I got to spend time with my Little Red Headed Monster. Who I need to re-nick name b/c he is NOT LITTLE anymore. WAAAAAAHHH!!! He is gigantic. He is TALL. He is 6 years old. When he sits on my lap, his feet touch my feet. I can't really pick him up anymore (not without injuring myself). And I came to the shocking realization that his younger brother (who was born right before I moved to Boston) is now the same age as Liam WHEN I MOVED. That makes me sad.

A good friend of mine who now lives in DC also happened to be out in Denver at the same time, so it was great to spend time with him and other old co-workers as well. (that part is more for my diary - b/c I know it's not all that interesting to you).

Then, I came back to Boston and hustled to get stuff ready for my annual geek fest (aka the American Psychological Association annual conference/convention) which was in Toronto Canada this year. I was pretty relaxed this time, with no set schedule EXCEPT for my own presentation. I was nervous b/c I HATE public speaking. I got some good tips (speak slowly. when you are speaking so slowly that you think you sound like you're speaking TOO slowly, you're speaking at JUST THE RIGHT pace). I was comforted in the fact that it was scheduled for Saturday at 8am, so I figured there wouldn't be anyone there except my classmates. Well, it had pretty good attendance for a session at 8am! And I got good feedback from the symposium chair.

When I got back to Boston (it's only a 2.5 hr flight to Toronto!), I had to wrap up some loose ends for research. Then, I went to MI to see the family. I was excited to see my niece, b/c I hadn't seen her since she was 5 weeks old! She's 10 months old now, and much more interactive. I finally finished up the Debbie Bliss cabled hoodie, and just in time! it fits her perfectly.

lookit the buttons!

aren't I cute?

You wanna piece of me?

in da' hoodie!

I got to spend lots of time with her!

I'm back in Boston and thankfully it has cooled off. I gotta crack down and prep for the class I'm teaching this year to undergrads, and establish some sort of schedule to work on my dissertation. UGH!!

WOO HOO! it's OVER.

2009-07-10T19:56:00.004-06:00

I feel huge relief, finding out a couple weeks ago that I had passed my doctoral comprehensive examinations with distinction (whatever that means...). My pursuit of a PhD continues.

No new episodes of left wrist pain in the last 2 months. Perhaps b/c there has been very little knitting.

My lemon kitty is doing great. Click on pic below for before, right after, and now pics of my baby. You can see how pink/red his third eyelid is in the first pic, how swollen and frankenkitty he is in the second (2 days after the surgery) and I took the last pic yesterday)

Cosmo's eye journey

For awhile, I was calling him Frankenkitty. But now the fur has grown back, and can't see the stitches.

Am currently working on manuscripts for journal article submissions like a mad fool, finishing up overdue assignments, and prepping an undergraduate class I'm teaching in the Fall.

Last: am SO excited for my trip to Denver next week!! Camp, here I come! An old work friend is also visiting Denver at the same time, so hopefully the old gang can do a huge meet up.

Next post... I swear I'll take a pic of something knitterly to share.

Psst! is anyone out there?

2009-06-14T23:11:00.003-06:00

Ok Ok. I was the one who was missing. Well, most of you know where I am/was, and believe me, I'd rather be blogging and knitting. Er, knitting and blogging about the knitting.

Surprise (not), that I have no actual knitting content to discuss. I am casting on like a mad fool, with almost no actual intention of finishing any project anytime soon. Recent cast on projects include another sweater for my adorable niece, who has just begun to crawl, the ubiquitous Noro Striped Scarf, and the Modern Log Cabin.

Reasons that I barely knit
1) a belief that I have carpal tunnel or tendonitis in my left wrist. very uncomfortable, which is made worse when I knit for prolonged periods or on larger than usual needles (anything bigger than a US 7)

2)my doctoral comprehensive exams. basically, the faculty assess whether we have learned what we were supposed to have learned in the last three years, by way of torturing us slowly and surely over a period of almost a month. First up, is two days of writing in class, where we are not allowed to use our notes or books, but expected an answer a series of essay questions thoroughly and citing relevant literature. A stupid futile exercise in memorization. THEN, they send us home with a take home portion, a 20 page paper where we address another three questions. THEN, we wait while they read our written portions, and then schedule our oral defense. Three faculty and one student. Where faculty can ask us any question they want. I am waiting for my orals defense, which takes place on Tuesday. Knitting girls beware: if I fail, I'm packing up and coming home, b/c I am NOT doing this again.

3) Cosmo: sigh. My lemon kitty has earned a new nickname. Lemon kitty is still appropos, but his recent surgery has left him looking a little... frankenkitty-ish. He looked like he had an eye infection, but several vet appts discovered that he had a tumor wrapped around his eye, and that he has lymphoma. So, we removed the eye, and now he looks like a rakish pirate.

"Arrrrrggggghhhh. I'm a pirate kitteh!"

so. to sum up. I am alive. and sorta knitting.

Pictureless.

2008-12-26T18:41:00.005-07:00

b/c I'm too lazy RIGHT NOW. I'm hoping this weekend, I can show a few pics. of what?

1) birthday presents!! I turned a year older in early-mid December.

A Mat & Nat wallet from my brother/sister in law. I love their stuff that feels like leather, but isn't.

yarn gifties from Michelle, Stacey, Tiffany, Jeni (aka, what I bought at Colorful with their gift certificate)

a holiday mug and sock yarn from Wanda

and a project bag (Stacey) and hand sewn ginormous knitting bag (michelle). Michelle made me my very own birdie swing bag! Not sure if the birdy swing was an Xmas or b-day gift... but gifts are good!

a pretty pad of paper for making lists from my friend Ann.

my gift to myself: a new Offhand Design bag (Weekender in a lovely aqua and brown fabric). Tiffany is a bit evil and a bit of an enabler, and gave me a wee discount to make it impossible for me to say no.

hmm. pic of the "old" weekender (left) and "new" weekender (right)

*both pics from the offhand designs site

No one can tell what my favorite color combos are, can they?

2) Christmas pressies:
tons and tons of foodstuffs. One of my friends made me a huge batch of ground turkey and basil tomato sauce (I normally don't like red pasta sauce, but she doesn't add sugar. it's sooo good!) plus one big thing of her "christmas pasta sauce" which contains beef, pork, veal, and PANCETTA. Yum. She also gifted me with homemade biscotti, and spiced walnuts.

Oiyi surprised me with a box of Christmas goodies! Check her blog to see pics (b/c I already ate most of it) of homemade vanilla marshmallows, some yummy choc. chip pecan cookies, and some toffee! The marshmallows are SO decadent in a big mug of hot cocoa.

and a funny water bottle my friends in NYC got me from the onion. Captioned: "I will never take this camping." ha ha ha.

*pic from the Onion online store.

I also have some FO pics to post. My Hanami made with Woolen Rabbit lace weight, the peapod sweater I made for my niece, and a DB hooded cardi I made for my niece too.

hope everyone enjoyed their holidays!!!

A rare artifact has been dug up...

2008-11-10T22:17:00.002-07:00

An FO!! My friend just sent me this pic of her daughter wearing it around her first birthday. Forgive me for not remembering RIGHT NOW the name of this pattern, except it's designed by Libby, and I used Cotton Ease. Used a crocheted scalloped edging at the bottom instead of whatever the pattern calls for. I now wish I had made the straps wider (maybe some thicker knitted I-cord, or some flat-I cord).

Two months and change

2008-11-08T16:12:00.002-07:00

And what change!!! I am currently watching some football (let us not speak of Michigan's horrible rebuilding season, ok? I have enough to cry about lately) and listening to the new Will.i.am "It's a New Day" song. And it makes me cry.

Maryse posted a link to these beautiful photos that made me tear up at the coffee shop earlier today. These photos are so gorgeous, and show so much of President elect (i love saying that) Obama's personality.

I've been knitting... still working on Hanami... and have moments of weakness where I feel like ripping it out b/c I chose to use a variegated yarn instead of a solid. Even if it was a tonal variegated yarn, I think it would have been better. Not that I don't love it, I just think the pattern would pop more if I hadn't chosen a variegated. Oh well.

So, Since early October (October 5th) I have been working to vote in Colorado. I still have my condo there, and plan on moving back, so I consider myself a 'student' and my Denver address my permanent address. I sent in my registration/application for an absentee ballot on Oct 6th, and received both email and mail confirmation that they had received it and my ballot would be sent to me. Come October 24th, no ballot. I call and they say, it will be there tomorrow. Nope. Call again. It'll be there tomorrow. Nope. Now I insist on some action. They say they will overnight the ballot to me, but since it is Thursday at 4pm, it might not get out until Friday's mail, and should def. be here by Saturday. Nope. Monday morning, I spend a few hours on the phone insisting on an emergency faxed ballot and spend the day sitting next to a fax machine in order to get my APPLICATION for an emergency faxed ballot, fill the app out, fax it back, wait for the ballot to be faxed to me, and fax it back. Never you mind that the ballot they faxed me was illegible. I could make out Obama's name, and that's all I really needed. VOTING FOR THE PRESIDENT should NOT be this hard.

And guess what I got in the mail today? TODAY?? My ballot. Is it totally paranoid to feel like someone was holding it somewhere? who the eff wants their mail ballot the Saturday after the election??

Prats and Pitfalls of Being a Busybody

2008-09-07T12:45:00.002-06:00

I'm trying to be a good, conscientious student. As I told someone last night, I can get work done just by procrastinating... by doing work I would rather do than the work I don't want to do. Work still gets done, and at some point, the work I don't WANT to do becomes work i HAVE to do, leaving me little choice. Which explains why I am at Panera Bread, enjoying soup and free wi-fi while I edit documents, manuscripts, and skim book chapters for class this week.

***POST IS NOT KNITTING RELATED. POST IS ABOUT POLITICS AND ME BEING NOSY. If you do not want to read about my political opinions, you should probably SKIP THIS POST****

A lovely family sitting in a booth across the way are having THE DISCUSSION. About politics. On one hand, I congratulate them for being mature enough to be able to discuss politics within the family. That's not how it works in my fam. I pretend my parents are voting with their pocketbooks, and they pretend I didn't vote for Clinton two terms in a row (though I think that's the closest I got to being disowned).

The son, a physician (they were talking about his job previous to the politics discussion) started talking about how Obama's minister/preacher, Jeremiah Wright is an anti-semite. How he has often had Palestinians and TERRORISTS (how I hate that word) come and guest speak at his church. How since Pastor Wright and Obama are such bosom buddies, that Obama must be an anti-Semite as well...

**convo became to quiet for me to get particulars for a minute**

Then, we move onto how the SON (the doctor) is also pro-life. In my head, I grumble, EVERYONE IS EFFING PRO-LIFE you asshole!! No one is pro-abortion! But I am staunchly pro-choice. oops. Got off topic. My anti-men thing is coming out here, b/c I am not sure that I respect the opinion of men about the topic of the legalities of abortion. Should men get a vote on what a woman can do to her body and reproductive organs? (I had more vitriolic rant going off here... which I deleted. You can tell I'm not happy.)

So, my question to you, (should you still be reading my rant here) is... is any of this true? Is Pastor Wright a known anti-Semite? Should we judge Obama based on this... allegation? Then my question becomes... how come we didn't judge the current Prez on these criteria (judged by associations and their alleged values).

-- off to Stapes to buy school supplies. Pens. Pens with a very very fine tip make me happy. Graph paper for my statistics class. I love graph paper. It helps me take very neat notes... I can be happy with the small details.

Labor of Love

2008-09-02T19:38:00.003-06:00

As per the usual (of the past 2-3 years), I just spent a very enjoyable Labor day in NYC. My friends moved (3 mos ago) to a new apartment, and I was excited to see the new 'hood and place.

I took Bolt Bus down, which is as cheap as Fung Wah, but nicer. A lot nicer. Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, and reclining seats. I slept on the way there, but read on the way home (nothing exciting. I read a text that I'm making my students read this semester. Yalom's The Gift of Therapy, if you must know).

Upon arrival, we took the subway to the new place to drop off my stuff. It's a gorgeous pre-war condo that has a partial view of the Park. It's big, by NYC standards, but still so small. We got a quick snack to tide us over, b/c we didn't want to ruin our appetites.

Who here watches Iron Chef America? Then you are familiar with the name Masaharu Morimoto! I knew he had a restaurant in Philly, but my friends let me know that he had opened a restaurant in NYC. I was DYING to go. Every time he battles in Kitchen Stadium, I become a ravenous mess at midnight. Morimoto in NYC was everything I hoped for, and more.

We started out with some drinks. Pretty names, yummy sips. I had the hydrangea, while my friend had the snapdragon (her DH declined, as he wanted to stay sharp for the upcoming Scrabble Tourney). We shared the rock shrimp tempura, which was served in two different sauces (a wasabi aioli sauce, and a korean red-pepper sauce) which were crispy, creamy, and absolutely delish. Then, the surf and turf main course came out, which comprised of a waygu beef in hot mustard (cooked medium rare) and some yellowtail with avocado. The beef was SO TENDER that no knife was needed. At all. You barely needed teeth. The fish was fresh and buttery. On the side were some roasted fingerling potatoes that just melted in my mouth.

We followed the main course with some sushi. Spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail, and spider rolls. Even though we were not yet stuffed to the gills, we decided we should wait it out and look at the dessert menus. Roasted bananas in chocolate creme, with banana ice cream for me. Warm chocolate cake with popcorn ice cream for the friend's DH. Chocolate mousse and ganache with black sesame for my friend. NOW we were full. So full, that we passed out when we got home.

Saturday was spent exploring. We went to the MOMA, b/c a classmate's husband had been invited to design a pre-fab house to show at the MOMA (on the 54th? 56th? street lot). During the exploration of the inside exhibition (more the history of pre-fab homes) I bumped into a professor from my program. Totally random. Going outside to the street lot to explore the five pre-fab homes was incredible. One was built with NO NAILS! (that's the one my classmate's husband made). SO COOL.

we did a walking tour of the west side (midtown and chelsea) to see the neighborhood where Sarah Jessica Parker lives, where her brownstone from SATC was filmed, and just cute neighborhoods. We were way too close to Billy's Bakery not to pop in and have some cake! If you are ever in the neighborhood, treat yourself to some moist, decadent cake while watching the cute cupcake guy sing along to the radio. We enjoyed this, this, and this. Yes, my sweet tooth has been totally satiated. All that sugar helped me to win the big game of Scrabble that night.

Sunday, we did bagels (nothing like a NYC bagel) and then re-arranged the apartment. You know how when you move, you have to arrange the furniture around a few times to see where it fits best? I love doing that. So long as it's not MY apartment.

That's how I spent my lovely 3 day, pre-school starting weekend. Next year, I hope to spend some time in Flushing Meadows too, to watch some tennis.

Sorry for so many links and no pics. My friends are muggles, and unknowing of the blog. carrying around a camera to Morimoto and Billy's would have been strange.

I need a Weasley. Mrs please.

2008-08-19T13:54:00.004-06:00

She seems the most useful. If she's not available, I'll take Hermione.

Ok peeps. You know I have my head in the sand (aka school) most of the time, and that I am clueless to any worldly happenings (outside of major hurricanes, tsunamais, etc). So... um, how come NONE of you told me about the TRAGIC news?

That THE MOVIE, the ONE MOVIE, that i've been really looking forward to, has moved opening night from Thanksgiving 2008 to SUMMER 2009?

I am devastated.

I suppose I will have to console myself with looking forward to meeting my niece, also making her debut in Fall 2008 (late october). The baby shower was last weekend, and I was bummed I couldn't attend. I did send along some gifties, of which only one is likely interesting to you all.

ETA: that's the peapod baby cardi, by Kate Gilbert, just in case it is difficult to identify by the teensy tinsy picture. Knit with Frog Tree Alpaca, sportweight.

oh. I need Mrs Weasley or Hermione b/c the start of school is quickly approaching, and I've got knitting committments to attend to!!

1) finish cabled hooded jacket by debbie bliss for my soon to be niece
2) finish BRQ squares for sharing
3) finish (uh... start?) BRQ squares for Stacey's project

I'd also like to knit the Juju for my niece too.... but we'll see how time goes.

I was at the APA (american psych association) conference last week. Am now on 'vacation' which means I just have to finish writing some journal manuscripts before school starts!! WOO HOO!

WHOOSH!

2008-08-03T21:19:00.003-06:00

A month goes by so quickly around here. Let's bullet point most of it...

Cosmo is doing well. Made it through my 2 weekends in a row away from home with no problems. weight is a steady and slim 12.5 lbs (down from his highest weight of 16 lbs, and 14 lbs at time of diagnosis)
Danger is also happier now that the amt of pets and attention is more even between the two cats. I am also happy to report that his kitty chin acne is gone.
This week is my last week of working with clients at the health center. After this week, I have my annual conference, then 2 weeks off!! WOOT WOOT!
I have funny parent stories to share. Stay tuned.
Sadly, my mom's best friend just passed away unexpectedly. I'm feeling really bad for my mom, who's mother also died recently (well... almost a year ago, but it doesn't feel like it's been very long).
I've been knitting like a fiend on the Debbie Bliss Cabled Hooded Jacket (pattern linked here for Ravelers. I'm making it with ONline Kaschmerino, in a deep blood red. I LOVE it, but slow going with the cables and all. I would prefer to finish in time to send to the baby shower, but am thinking it will be a gift for later.
I CLEANED MY APARTMENT. All that is left to do is to file away the last few bits of bills and school paperwork. This item is a bigger deal than you think... my apt hasn't looked this clean since about the first week I moved in.

Ok. That catches us up to this weekend. Where my friend came to visit (the mommy of LRHM- little red headed monster, who needs a new nickname b/c he is TALL). It was great to hang out with her for the weekend, and even though I love LRHM, it's been FOREVER (um, about 5 yrs) since we've had some serious time by ourselves.

She flew in on Friday late night. I had a whole schedule planned for us (I know, I know. None of you who know me are gasping in shock that I would pre-plan the entire weekend). we were SUPPOSED to go grab some yummy Thai food for dinner, but the delay meant we had to grab PIZZA. We shared a calzone, with eggplant (YUM) inside. I LOVED IT. The sauce was great (spicy, not sweet). I'll be going back there. (For others in Boston area, it was Pizzanini at the corner of Comm Ave and Washington. We stayed up until 330am chit chatting and digesting.

Saturday:
Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts. Stroll around the Boston College campus and show her where I spend the majority of my time. She likes architecture and buildings, so she appreciated the 'oldness' of all the BC buildings. I was a bit upset b/c many buildings were locked, and the souvenir store closed for inventory (wanted to get LRHM a little T-shirt). Then we headed to Brown Sugar Cafe for lunch (Country Style Pad Thai and Thai Fried rice, both extra spicy- YUM ME!) We hopped back on the T to head to Newbury street to do lots of street shopping. LUSH stole our hearts and we parted with some cash to buy some very nice smelling soaps. i got the Sexy Peel and Porridge soaps. Sexy Peel is a lemony smell, while Porridge smells like... a delicious oatmeal cookie.

There are so many shops that we went into, and I can't quite remember them all. My friend has worked hard and gotten into terrific shape, so she tried on some Lucky Brand jeans. My credit card had the worst damage at Filene's Basement, where I bought some new sunglasses, a fall/rain jacket, and some socks. We headed up to the North End for some italian food at Pagliuca's. Gnocchi in fra diavlo sauce, and Chicken Felix. SO DELISH. We pounded out a recipe for her to attempt at home (in the old days, i would be going over on a monday night and we would attempt this recipe together. boo!!). Head down the street to Modern Pastry. We shared a peach ganache and a chocolate dipped cannoli with riccota and chocolate chipss. We brought these home to eat with the Chai cream liquor that she brought me as a gift.

You'd think we'd be done eating right? NO NO. We got up this morning and schlepped off to brunch at Blue Room in Kendall Square/Cambridge (Thank the heavens for the pocket map I bought when I first moved here!). Check out the brunch menu. It is SICK! Even walking around Harvard Square for a few hours did not help the over extended belly syndrome, aka FOOD BABY that I was carrying around. waddling, I tell ya, waddling.

Drove her out to the train station around 7ish, and had to come home to bake cupcakes. Am sad that the weekend is over, but so glad she was able to come visit!!

There... and back again

2008-07-01T20:48:00.002-06:00

I know that I have a hard time posting pictures. I will have to hotlink some pics from my friends blogs, when they get around to writing about our recent weekend getaway.

My much needed weekend in Colorado was MUCH NEEDED. More than I realized, and it makes me teary to think that it might be awhile before I get to go again.

You know how you feel at home in certain places or with certain people? This place, and these people, feel like HOME to me. While many think that I make friends easily, I don't think I do. I love feeling like I can kick back and say what I want to say, do what I want to do (and know that someone will want to do it with me!), and be who I am.

I flew into Colorado BRIGHT and early (um, I left my house at 4am), and was greeted by my friend with her kids (one of which was LRHM, who's not so little anymore). I can not believe that he is 5 years old, and very excited to attend kindergarten next year. While I am only an honorary auntie, I am still filled with worry about the fact that he will be RIDING THE BUS to school next year!! The BUS!!

We had a great time at Sweet Tomatoes, and then Kim came to whisk my away to the mtns to meet up with the girls for the weekend. She had me in stitches the entire way up, telling me stories about her kids at disneyworld. (shh!! still a sore topic over there). when we got up to the mtns, it was nothing but hanging out, eating, knitting, and laughing. We ate like QUEENS (fresh made crepes, a hawaiian luau, and a genuine southern breakfast, to name a few highlights). You have to keep up the strength for all that knitting, you know.

Heading back down the mtn on Sunday afternoon, I was sad that it was over, but excited to spend more time with LRHM. He got to stay up a little late (like 2 hrs late!) b/c his Aunt CynCyn was visiting. We went through his picture books from school, and read two books before going to bed.

A side story: We were talking while eating a snack, and I was grilling him about the alphabet. Which letters were in his name? what letter starts his mom's name? Dad's name? (all of these answered correctly and easily). Then I ask, what letter starts my name? "A!!!" I was much puzzled, and asked him again. "A!!!... for Aunt CynCyn"
HAHAHAHHA.

Anyway. I am sad that my weekend in CO is over already. I looked forward to it for months. The kitties were fine w/o me (Cosmo weighs the same) so I'm feeling much relieved. Thanks for all the support everyone!

Separation Anxiety

2008-06-26T21:45:00.004-06:00

It's supposed to be for babies/toddlers/young children, right? A sign of "insecure" or "disorganized" attachment, according to some developmental psychology theories. I mean, it is normal for most kids to go through a period of it for a bit, but you're supposed to grow out o fit.

I am having mixed feelings. I am SO happy and excited to get out to Colorado to visit my peeps and to go to Camp WannaKnitKnit 4. But I'm also very nervous leaving my sweet babies again. The last trip I took, I came home to a very very sick kitty. I can't go through that again. I have a cat sitter coming, who will feed and check on them every day. I am telling myself to chill out, chillax, but I probably won't feel completely better until I come home.

Summer classes are over (YAY!, so the rest of my summer looks much better. I will see clients (and get paid!), do research, and... and... have TIME OFF. I am only scheduled for 32 hours per week for the rest of the summer. WOO HOO! I took this week and part of next week off. It's been great to have TIME to do stuff, like buy a couple new pairs of pants, get a pedicure, and go to the bank. Sounds like such little things, but... they make me happy.

ANOTHER post!!

2008-06-08T22:44:00.002-06:00

It's hot.

Horridly, horribly, unbearably H.O.T. (aka horrible oppressive temperatures)

I know it's bad for the environment, and I am only contributing to global warming, but I need air conditioning when the humidity is over 80% and the temp is over 90.

My bio bases of behavior mid term went well. Thank GOD for extra credit. Even though I thought the multiple choice and matching would be easiest, I did the best on the diagrams.

Knitting. Still working on the Barn raising Quilt squares. Will upload them to ravlery as soon as i bite the bullet and buy more flickr use. Anyone have a good reason for me NOT to get the pro flickr account?

How perfect is THIS picture for me?

more cat pictures

no wonder I love that site. The cats look like mine, the chair looks like my desk chair, and I have too often seen the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).

Hopefully NEVER when i get to the point of writing a dissertation though.

Hope eveyrone is staying cool. Wish I was going to the Estes Wool Market with my peeps next week!

Updates!!

2008-06-04T18:55:00.002-06:00

The last month was a bit crazy. Finals (I HATE FINALS). If finals in grad school still consisted of multiple choice tests or essay exams, they wouldn't be so bad... but when finals means turning in humongo (30 pages!) papers... well. I hatez it.

more cat pictures

Is that not perfect for me? If you know me, you know that I am a procrastinator. Grad school is my punishment/boot camp for getting rid of this habit. A good friend of mine (mom of LRHM- little red headed monster- who's NOT so little anymore!) gave me a plaque as a b-day gift... it says "I have not yet BEGUN to procrastinate."

HAHAHHA.

After finishing finals, I had to give a presentation to the faculty of the research I am working on... THEN summer classes started.

MEANWHILE, Mr Cosmo, my sick kitteh, decided to give me a big gift, and decided he didn't need insulin for his diabetes anymore!! WOO HOO! I still check his blood sugar once in awhile to make sure we're on track, but he's still 'in remission' and is 'diet controlled.' For those of you who own kitty cats, I can not advocate enough for a wet food, low carb diet for your cat. I know that the dry food is super convenient, but it is also very high in carbs and one of the leading causes of diabetes in cats. If you are interested in switching, you can go HERE to find a couple charts of dry food and canned foods. the charts show a comparison of protein, fat, and carb content of the foods. Cosmo (and Danger) are on 10% or less carb canned food so that Danger doesn't BECOME diabetic and Cosmo can stay diet controlled. But YAY! He's doing so much better. We have another vet check up tomorrow, with more bloodwork. Bleh.

In knitting news, I haven't found a lace project yet. Looking for one that is either a stole, or a triangular shawl that is more like ENE (where you cast on a zillion stitches and DECREASE as you knit). I have started some Barn Raising Quilt squares, out of leftovers. A nice, almost non-thinking knit for me right now.

Hope everyone is doing well!!

Cat pics

2008-05-04T13:04:00.004-06:00

Absolutely no knitting content. I should knit, since I'm not working on my very last paper for the semester, but I'm stalking my cats for cute pics instead.

I've been meaning to show off Cosmo's shaved belly. He needed ultrasounds during his hopsital stay (of the pancreas, gallbladder, liver, heart, kidneys, etc) so he got a lot o belly shaved.

His belly is so soft and silky right now. And a godsend, b/c its where I inject his insulin. I'm not sure how you do it when there's fur everywhere!!

Then, there's just cute cat snuggly pics. It took a few weeks after Cosmo had come home for them to warm back up to each other. Cosmo smelled and looked funny, plus he was so sick, that I had him sequestered for much of the time. Now, I have to separate them b/c I worry that in the kerfuffle that Cosmo's feeding tube might get accidentally yanked out.

Snuggling on their chair:

Snuggling in bed

Cosmo making trouble:
In this first pic, Cosmo's got Danger in a headlock.

In this pic, Danger is looking at me like... aren't you going to do something? The big blur on the right is Cosmo ferociously grooming Danger.

Care package from down under!!

2008-04-28T11:01:00.003-06:00

I would show a picture... but it would be of a ripped open package of Tim Tams, kind of like a bear had gotten into them or something. I'm trying to ration them out at a reasonable pace, but with finals season in full swing, it's tough.

Celia had a business trip to the USA a few weeks ago, she was in San Francisco, Houston, (not sure if there were more cities) but nothing on the East Coast. I would love to actually MEET Celia, since we have become such good friends through blogging. She snuck me a VALUE ~~SHARE~~ PACK of the original Tim Tams, and they are ever so lovely.

She also sent an issue of YARN, an Australian knitting magazine.

Pics for next time. I have to die for cute pics of my kitties snuggling, a finished sock (one Jaywalker done!)...

Not that anyone really thinks I blog on an even remotely regular basis, but just FYI that I am deep in the midst of finals (30 page paper due last week, 15 page paper this week, 25 pager next week, presentation the week after that, then I start summer classes....) I don't remember why I signed up for this torture right now, but I have to trust that it'll be worth it in the end.

Cat update: Cosmo is doing SO much better!! Thanks for all the well wishes. He comes and jumps on the bed for sleepy time. He is in full force with "must touch the mommy" and has, in fact, started to provoke his brother into some fights (which I break up b/c he still has the e-tube). Last night, he was laying next to me on the couch, and Danger was occupying my lap. Danger started swishing his tail in front of Cosmo's face. Cosmo accepted the invitation by taking a big chomp out of Danger's tail, and Danger had to respond by a quick "WHAP WHAP" on Cosmo's head. He remained undeterred and continued to chomp on the tail... another couple "WHAP WHAP WHAPs" and after I was done laughing, I reclaimed Danger's tail for him.

I'll be back with pics... probably sooner than later, since it'll give me something else to do (other than write the papers).

Holy Cat!!

2008-04-23T17:50:00.002-06:00

He is kinda holey, since he still has the esophageal tube in his neck. He and I both are ready for it to come out already (he scratches at the bandages incessantly, as the hair growing back makes it itchy, dry skin, healing wounds, etc etc)

Good news; his liver is all better. At the latest vet appt (with an internal medicine vet. My cats have seen more specialists than I have!) they did the full blood panel, urinalysis, and urine culture. Things look good.

He's mostly eating by himself. We're stabilizing the amount of insulin he needs. I'm spending my free time (ha!) researching information about feline diabetes. Found a terrific forum/message board called Feline Diabetes that has many knowledgeable and experienced folks.

School: horrible. I have little motivation. I don't know where it went, but even time pressure motivation is not working for me right now. NOT A GOOD SIGN, as I still have about 2-3 more weeks before I get any respite.

Knitting: what's that? these hands havne't touched needles in weeks!!

Goals for summer:
1) finish up the babette crocheted blanket. I love the colors and pattern. I see it peaking at me from the yarntainer.

2) finish up the socks (STR rare gems, jaywalker)

3) finish hemlock ring blanket.

Now, I realize that I will be wanting to cast on some lace soon! Any suggestions?

Cat-o-centric

2008-03-22T12:47:00.011-06:00

I know most pet people think that their lives revolve around their pets. Feeding them, getting them to potty, petting... catering to their every whim. Now, BEFORE the last couple of weeks, I would have said I was a good, but sort of negligent owner. I was happy to leave out the never ending buffet of kibble, scoop their litter box every day, and feed them stinky goodness at night. Being a grad student, our 'quality time' together consisted of me on the sofa with my laptop where a cat should be, and one cat sprawled out next to me (usually... it was Cosmo. He's perfectly happy to lay against my leg... you know... so long as he's touching the mommy. Of course, sometimes, the cat is better than the laptop.

Obviously, this pic was taken a few weeks ago.

He still is happy to let me use most of my lap.

For the next few weeks, my life is going to revolved around him. He's got an esophogeal tube (e-tube) in his neck, b/c he won't eat. See?

I have to feed him (using a syringe) 4 times per day. Between the feedings and the 8 medications he's on (most of which are administered through the e-tube). This procedure (of warming and mixing his food, preparing his medications, and then giving them to him) takes me about 5 hours per day. For breakfast and dinner, it takes me longer b/c of the meds. At lunch and late night snack, it takes less time b/c all I have to do is the food. But that's ok. I'm so happy to have him home and doing better, that I'm thinking of all this time as our 'quality time.'

We went back to the vet on Friday for a check up. They drew blood, and his blood sugar is still high, but his bilirubin levels have come down considerably. When he was admitted on Monday,3/10, his bilirubin level was 4.0 (it should be around 0.1-0.3 or something). On that following Saturday (3/15), it had skyrocketed up to 16!! On Tuesday of coming home (3/18), it had dropped to 10. On Friday, it was 2.8. All signs point to his liver still actually functioning... What I need him to do now is to show that he can eat on his own. And for his toileting to improve (he gets in, but doesn't turn around. This positioning results in his pee going OUTSIDE of the box. Very unfortunate. Luckily, I went and purchased a bag of wee-wee pads. Invaluable.

KNITTING NEWS:
Here are some pics of print o the wave. There are kitty action shots (Danger... 'helping')

Here's a pic of a bigger section, where the stole is actually the focus of the picture.

And my sock in progress.

Pattern: Jaywalker by Grumperina, converted to toe up.
Yarn: Socks That Rock: Rare Gems
Needles: 2.5mm Addi Turbos, 100cm (magic loop)

I also have neglected to show off some Stash Acquisitions... from The Woolen Rabbit. I made the Print O The Wave from her laceweight, and about midway through, I was mourning the loss of this yarn in the stash. So... I bought more!

I bought 2 skeins of laceweight (in Raspberry and Thyme, and Blue Lagoon) and 2 skeins of superwash sock (in blue lagoon and some other purty color I can't remember right now).

Welcome home, Cosmo!!

2008-03-18T20:59:00.003-06:00

My baby is home. He's got 9 prescription meds, plus prescription food, but he's home. Let's hope his mommy can learn some patience real quick, b/c feeding him through his e-tube takes quite some time. Tonight's feeding already came back up (bad bad bad) but hopefully I'll take more care tomorrow morning. I have to give him precise amounts of meds through this e-tube, then his food (60 mls per feeding). I think it's like kitty ensure or something.

If anyone has any advice as to how slowly to go, or how to slow down, how to increase the chances of it staying down, I would greatly appreciate. He's always been a vomiter, but it's crucial at this point that he keep his food down.

I'm so happy that he's made it this far. The next 4-6 weeks will show us whether he can kick the fatty liver (hepatic lipidosis).

Thanks, many many thanks, to all of those who have reached out during this very difficult time. I've always talked about how much I love my cats, but you know what? Even I was surprised at exactly how much. Wanna call me crazy cat lady? That's me! And I'm proud of it.

So, for me, please give your furry loved ones an extra hug, pet, and kiss for me.

Thankfully, close only counts with hand grenades and horseshoes...

2008-03-13T21:50:00.004-06:00

First of all, thanks to all of you for the support, positive vibes, thoughts, prayers, etc etc. for my Cosmo. I was in tears just thinking of all the people pulling for my Cosmo. I tried to reply to everyone, but some of you well-wishers were either lurkers, or sent over by Chris and I didn't have your email addresses stored in my gmail account... so let me publicly thank all of you.

Since I posted Wednesday night, lots has happened...
News update: He did not have the procedure done. His enzyme levels spiked, indicating that something was wrong. They thought he might have an obstructed gall bladder, but the ultrasound showed that his gall bladder has decided NOT to play follow the leader, and is perfectly fine. I'm not sure I could've kept going if his gall bladder was also having problems (um, I'm not sure it would have been up to me, b/c the vet said that the only treatment for obstructed gall bladder is surgery, and he would not have survived). SO. Good news. No obstructed gall bladder. We only have to worry about the liver and the ketones, mostly. (supposedly the pancreatitis will resolve itself as the diabetes and liver are brought under control).

They inserted a feeding tube through his nose instead. They'll see if things improve and he gets strong enough for the other kind of feeding tube on Saturday. His ketone levels have improved considerably (the range is from 0-4. Should be at 0. he was at 4 when admitted. Currently is at 1). Additionally, he purred for me today!! I took a felted woolen mousie and his brush. He purred while I brushed him and gave him scritches, so I am heartily encouraged.

That was all yesterday... Today, his ketones level dropped down to zero, which is the normal, healthy level. YAY! The bad news was that his blood pressure has dropped. However, every visit, he's more alert. Every day, he's moving a bit more. A bit stronger. So the plan is to put the e-tube in tomorrow morning. He'll be able to get more nutrients into his body, which should speed up his rate of recovery.

Meanwhile, I feel like right now, all I ever talk about is my cats. And my cats' toilet habits. I was, of course, mostly worried to death about Cosmo, but began worrying about Danger too, since he decided to stop pooping. My babies are boys, and they usually don't let me forget it. They're regular. Like clockwork. Every day. They produce. Before I left for Chicago, Cosmo was the one who became a bit irregular (they have their own preferred deposit location for their goods. Upper left of the box is Cosmo's spot... right smack dab in the middle of the box is Danger's spot. Wow, that's SO TMI). Since Tuesday, I have not had to scoop. Every morning, I look hopefully for a deposit... as if it was a golden goose egg instead of a stinky stinky. I called the vet this morning, and he recommended some hairball remedy (since it's mostly mineral oil... gets the insides all lubed up) or some bran or metamucil to help with fiber content. I gave him a bit of the hairball remedy this morning, and he's finally left a little pile of love for me. Never thought I'd be so happy to see some poop. Aren't you glad you tuned into the Cosmo and Danger channel of geriatric cathood?

Seriously folks, thanks so much for all the good thoughts for my furbaby Cosmo. He's getting better!

ps. I finished and blocked Print O The Wave. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Will find some sunlight and take pics. I SWEAR.

Please keep your paws/fingers crossed...

2008-03-12T20:51:00.004-06:00

for my Cosmo.

I rushed him to the emergency vet on Monday night and he's been admitted for at least a week. I thought they'd diagnose some cold or something, but he's got DKA (some horrible form of diabetes that's gone untreated). After the first night, they also found that he has a fatty liver (I don't remember the medical name), pancreatitis, and today, a heart murmur. My baby can't catch a break. However, there are some signs of improvement. Now, he's only the D and the K, and he's using the litter box on his own. He's still extremely lethargic though. I'm asking for thoughts, prayers, or whatever positive 'energy' you can send out... they're doing a procedure tomorrow that pretty much determines if he'll actually fully recover.

Needless to say, I've been a hot mess all week. All the guilt and blame game that I can fit in between bouts of crying. Attempting to change my hectic schedule around his visitation hours. Trying really hard not to cry every time I think of him not making it. But his small improvements have me hopeful... b/c I just can't imagine not having my buddy around.

"Me and my mommy. Best buds."

Father Knows Best??

2008-03-03T17:40:00.003-07:00

So, I'm not sure if I've ever shared my journey of how I came to be in a doctoral program. While finishing up my master's (also in Counseling), a couple of the professors I had taken many classes with were encouraging me to apply to doc programs. I decided to apply to a handful that year (since I also had to study for the comprehensive exam, and boards, and well, graduate), and thought to myself, "If you don't get in, you can apply again next year!") Lo and behold, I was accepted to 2 of the 4 programs to which I applied.

What I didn't do, during all of this, was share the news with my parents. I told my brother about applying and said, "I don't think I'll tell Mom and Dad, b/c then they'll just ask me why I'm not applying to other types of programs."

Then, when I started getting interviews, I didn't tell them I was interviewing, and said to myself "You can tell Mom and Dad after you get some offers."

Then, after getting offers, we (my brother and I) decided it would be best to just tell them after the fact. Fait accompli, if you will.

The convo went like this:

Me: Hi Mom.
Mom: Cyn-Cyn-a. What's going on?
Me: Well, I just accepted an offer to attend a doctoral program.
Mom: What? A doctoral program? Studying what?
Me: Counseling psychology.
Mom: Where?
Me: Boston College.
Mom: How long will it take for you to finish?
Me: Five years
Mom: (I hear laughing in the background).. hands off phone to my Dad.
Dad: Cyn-Cyn-a. What's this?
Me: I got into a doctoral program for counseling psychology.
Dad: where?
Me: Boston College.
Dad: How long will it take you to get the degree?
Me: Five years.
Dad: Laughing... five years? By then, you could've been a DOCTOR!!!
Me: sigh

Over on Carrie's blog, I found the "What Should You Be?" quiz.

You Should Be a Doctor

You are practical, sharp, and very intuitive.

Optimistic and energetic, you are a problem solver who doesn't get discouraged easily.

You are also quite compassionate and caring. You make people feel hopeful.

You're highly adaptable and capable. You do well with almost any curve ball life throws at you.

You do best when you:

- Are always learning new subjects

- Use your knowledge to solve problems

You would also be a good therapist or detective.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

BUT PLEASE NOTICE THERE AT THE BOTTOM: OR A THERAPIST! So there!

The things we do in the name of love

2008-02-29T08:49:00.005-07:00

For the past couple of weeks, I've been dealing. Dealing with the fact that I have not just senior, but GERIATRIC cats. I almost burst into tears a few weeks ago b/c I took my babies into the vet for their annual. On the receipt, it says, bi-annual geriatric cat check up. What? Wait!!! I haven't accepted the fact that they are senior cats yet! Then, the vet said that Danger had a cavity, so we scheduled a dentist appointment for him. For those of you not in the know, pets need to be put under anesthesia for a dental cleaning, which worries me. I scheduled one for two weeks after the vet appointment, and was given some antibiotics to start giving him the night before the procedure. (He's so easy to pill, it's ridiculous. Cosmo on the other hand, I have never ever been successful at pilling).

Danger seemed fine when I brought him home. A little dizzy, and acting like a drunken sailor, but seemed fine. Then, IT began. He was obviously sick, with things running from both ends (sorry for the visual). I was chasing after him with paper towels and baby wet wipes all day and all night. He seemed to be doing better on Sunday, but relapsed on Monday evening. Not only was he running on ends, but he didn't seem to be eating either. Back to the vet we go.

The vet gives Danger an appetite stimulant, and force feeds him for me. When we get back, we are NOT greeted with open paws by his brother Cosmo. Cosmo is hissing his damn fool head off. Who thought up the idea that cats should recognize by smell instead of sight? So, it's been a week since we've had peace in this house. A week of hissing and whapping. A week of me yelling at Cosmo, coddling Danger, and feeling guilty. Usually, both kitties sleep in the bed with me. Cosmo starts at my head (while I'm reading) then moves to the feet once I turn the light off. Danger starts at my side (while I"m reading) and moves down to the feet when I've fallen asleep. USUALLY, I wake up to see the two of them snuggling together. Obviously, none of this was happening.

You couldn't tell it by these cute faces, huh?

I didn't have time to take a pic, but now we are like this:

Warms my little heart.

On the knitting front, we've got nada nada zilch. Working on the edging of Print O The Wave. Over halfway done.

Something out of Nothing

2008-01-25T22:23:00.001-07:00

I know I promised a pic of some beautiful lace. I got impatient (who, me?) and started the edging already. Starting the edging means that I picked up stitches around the entire stole, and the thing looks like a big blob. Hence... no piccies.

I was told by someone that I needed to post. I said "but I've already posted this month!" That's sad. Sad sad sad. She gave me some ideas of quick and easy posts, but it looks like I won't need to start using her ideas until the next post.

Why?

Let's see.

12:05am ET (I never know if we're in standard time or daylight savings): ring ring ring. I see that it's my brother. Not worried, b/c we are a family of night owls. Still. Hmmm...

me: what's up?
Tony: Would you please call mom and dad?
me: huh?
Tony: they're freaking out because they've been calling you and they get a busy signal.
me: huh? (i've been sitting at home, knitting, watching some tennis, and catching up on my TiVo)
Tony: I know it's late, but I don't even care. Would you please call them?
me: What time did they call you?
Tony: I dunno. Maybe 10:30 or something. Just call them.
me: um. ok.

E.T. phone home.

me: Dad... were you looking for me?
Dad: YES! We called your cell phone over and over and it kept ringing busy. What's going on?
me: maybe you broke it by calling too much? (yes, i actually said that)
Dad: Nonsense. Why would your cell phone be busy? It's never done that before!
me: you're asking me, who am I supposed to ask?****
Dad: Hunh. Well... ok. You should put some money into your IRA account.
me: Okay (I knew these counselor skills would pay off... I was knitting. Best to just nod and agree)
Dad: Call A.H. and tell him how much you want to put in.
me: uh-huh (still knitting)
Dad: Because it's all before taxes, and since you make such little money, it's good to do it now (wha? this statement made no sense to me. if putting money into your IRA is pre-tax, then why does it matter what tax bracket I'm in right now? eh?)
me: Okay Dad. I'll do that (still knitting)
Dad: How are your applications? Are some of the places you are applying to hospital sites?
me: SIGH. Yes, Dad.
Dad: will they pay you?
me: probably not Dad.
Dad: well, that's ok. It's about the training, right? So pick a good hospital.
me: (eyes rolling) uh huh.
Dad: ok. bye.
me: bye Dad.

I get back onto the computer and my email, and look what I found:

Cyn-Cyn: what happened to your cell phone? We are worried. Please call or reply by e-mail. Daddy.

subject of email: How to contact you beside your cell phone?

it is moments like these that make me want to find someone to marry. I think my parents would worry less. Then they could bug my husband if they can't find me. I know that the 'worry' is actually 'love' but it can be difficult to remember that sometimes. Sometimes, I just think they're neurotic. I bet if I still lived in Michigan, and they couldn't find me, they would've just driven down to find me. Oy.

****That's the literal translation from Chinese. It actually means something along the lines of "how am I supposed to know?" or "why are you asking me?"

ps. The reason why I only have a cell phone is because of my parents. Yes, it is also more economical for me to only pay for a cell phone, esp. since my internet is no longer through a phone line. Back in Denver, I had a land line for a few years, and got annoyed b/c the parents would call it to check if I was home. Over and over and over on the same night.

pps. Post posting and editing got me to thinking about the fact that sometimes I still feel like a teenager. Maybe that's why I enjoy working with them so much... b/c I can identify with them.

Extended vacation

2008-01-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

If I can get through this program, get my degree, and a post grad position as a faculty member, maybe I will continue to have these supposed 'extended vacations.' My question/concern is... as an academic, do you really REALLY ever get a vacation? I mean, where you don't have a grant, proposal, article, or tenure review hanging over your head? Maybe I'm just talking myself out of being a professor, maybe I'm just blabbering.

So. Since the last post... I finished another semester (3 down, 7 to go) and I've accomplished some serious knitting

finished sandal socks

Specs:
Yarn: Spirit Trail Fiber. 100% merino superwash
Needles: US2
Pattern: FiberTrends Sandal Socks
Modifications: I knit one as the pattern wrote, then knit the second sock with a more traditional decrease pattern (4 decreases every other row... the sock on the right).

Verdict: Forever in love. I've washed them once in the washer, and let them air dry. They are like butta. I mean, I want to make a blankie out of this yarn or maybe a set of sheets. LUV this yarn. Want... no. NEED more.

Um. Yeah. I had planned on showing you all a pic of the progress on my new lace project. However, I forgot to take a picture of it. you can have the specs. I'll repost the specs along with a pic in the next post.

Specs:

Yarn: 100% merino laceweight by The Woolen Rabbit. Color: Lady Sings the Blues
Needles: US4 Addi Lace Needles
Pattern: Eunny Jang's Print O'the Wave
Mods: Knit in one direction (no center graft), and am planning on 38 repeats instead of 34.

The yarn? Oh so loverly to knit. Sproingy. Silky (in the non squeaky way... silky in the satiny slippery kind of way). I love the colors. I might need some more. It's like crack. I haven't finished using my first skein, but am worried about running out and not having more in the stash. This yarn? Is the kind of yarn that gets a yarn/fiber novice on her way to having a HABIT. Is the kind of yarn that makes the yarn/fiber novice start collecting and stashing yarn.

Meanwhile, I studiously and religiously ignored all the work I should have been doing for school related stuffs.
1) work on research project that I am presenting at a conference in Chicago (in March).
2) Apply for practicum placements for the next academic year **
3) work on research projects for my research assistantship (2-3 projects)

My new motto (well, it's adapted. I've always been a procrastinator) is that I can't have gotten this far if I didn't get things done when they needed to be done. So... it'll get done when it NEEDS to get done. However, I am actively seeking therapy for how to be able to be productive w/o a due date looming over my head.

Even though I started back at my practicum placement (actually practicing psychotherapy with actual clients instead of sitting in a room talking about them) on January 2nd, we didn't start actual classes until this week. I'm taking another three classes (career development seminar, practicum seminar, and social bases of behavior seminar), plus teaching, research assistantship, and my current practicum placement. In this craziness, I kind of am looking forward to next year (please don't remind me of this when I blog and bitch about it next year) because supposedly I'll be able to shave off about 9-14 hours off the current schedule.

Anyway... it was SO nice to come home today (I wrote most of this post yesterday) to a HUGE box on my front porch! Inside, the big box was stuffed full of birthday goodies, and yarn that I had bought from Colorful Yarns. Anyone think that it's strange that Colorful is STILL my LYS even though I live many many states away?

Let's see what we have:
1) Amy Butler bag

OMG. It's beeyooootiful. And very well made. The fabric is sturdy, and pocket placement is stellar. The colors are right up my alley (shh. I hear all the snickering!).

Thanks Stacey, Michelle, Jeni and Tiffany!!!

I cannot wait to use this bag. I would like to use it as a book bag too, but it's too special. It might have to be used as a work bag a couple times b/c I need to have some one give me some bag envy. don't lie. We all love it when someone else has bag envy for OUR bag.

Inside the bag...

2) Cascade Eco + Wool
I bought a couple skeins from Colorful to make Hemlock Ring Blanket. Stacey showed me this pattern, Michelle's got it in her Ravelry queue, Jeni has made a few... I was helpless to resist.

3) Classic Elite Classic Silk. To make Tangled Yoke. Someday.

Anyone see a theme developing here? Notice some sort of... um... limited color palette?

4) Needles galore. Tiffany had a sale a while back on her addi needles. Who couldn't use more needles? I got some addi lace needles for socks, and a small circ to knit hats.

5) And movies from Wanda!!! She send me Hitch (with Will Smith) and Bend It Like Beckham! (girl power!)

Last, I leave you with a pic of my furbaby Danger 'helping' me make the bed.

** Didn't you think that after you get accepted into a PhD program that you should be done applying for anything for awhile? Me too. Alas (woe is me), it's not true. I have and will have to send out applications every single year of schooling.

Once a Month...

2007-12-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

Hmm. I don't mean to be like pesky Aunt Flo, who only visits once a month... and no one wants her to visit more often. She's often accompanied by crankiness, back pain, cramps, and acne. Who wants that?

Anyway. On with the show.

I got that nice blanket at Target a few months ago. Very cozy to cuddle under, and obviously the kitties have given it the paw of approval. That's Cosmo hiding under there. I guess I've been in hiding too, under a swamp of work, instead of a nice cozy, cuddly blankie.

What have I been working on? In the past week, I've been on a roll.

Adding rolls, that is. To the tire that has taken permanent residence around my middle. Being a student isn't exactly the healthiest of lifestyles, in that it requires a lot of sitting. And being tired. Which usually = very little working out. Jeni helped add to the problem, sending me a dozen awesome Kickass Cupcakes for my birthday on Monday. I couldn't wait to taste before I took a picture. If you look closely, you can see that she included treats for my kitties too! (upper right hand cupcakes have little goldfish on them... and they're liberally laced with catnip). I can't vouch for the kitty cupcake, but the mojito cupcake was DELISH. I'm excited to try the other kinds... a Lucky cupcake (luscious lemon with white chocolate buttercream frosting), Cinnamon Chai Pecan Sticky, Super Chocolate, and one other type that I can't figure out right now. Thanks for the b-day gift Jeni!!

Other b-day gifts are postponed, as I have declared that birthdays shouldn't happen on weekdays when you're a grown up. So, I'm heading out on Saturday night with some friends for dinner at Addis Red Sea for Ethiopian food. My brother is sending a gift card (yay!), and a school friend is treating me to a massage. Yes, it sounds extravagant. She's also the friend who's been trying to battle my bulge by dragging me to boot camp exercise classes (I was so tired, i didn't want to breathe anymore and nearly promised to never eat again if I didn't have to ever exercise again).

On to the Knitting...

The long ago promised pic of crumpets. The edging, at least. Instead of a loopy knitted edge, I crocheted a scalloped edging. I wondered if the loops would get caught in little toes and make for tripping (since I made the 1 yo size).

I also made...

a hat for my friend in NYC. I made her a scarf out of this yarn (DB alpaca silk) last year, and she requested a hat. It was a super quick knit, and it fits my big old noggin, so it should fit her smaller head (but she has big hair). My first attempt at a hat, and if I don't say so myself, it's kinda cute.

I've also worked on ...

endpaper mitts. I'm SO close to being done with the first. It takes quite a bit of concentration for me, so I don't knit on these very often. Perhaps mitt #2 will get cast on over the summer.

And last...

Sandal sock #2. I've turned the heel in the past 2 days, so I'm hopeful to be done by the weekend. I still love love LOVE this yarn (Spirit Trail Fiberworks, 100% merino wool).

Pretty productive, huh? The trick to productivity when you've downgraded from a big "K" to a little "k" is that you only post every so often and inundate with pics of progress.

Don't worry... beeeee happy

2007-11-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

As cheesy as the song is, it does make me smile. I figured I should at least write a quick post to say that I'm alive and well. Knitting here and there, but no real progress. I know I owe the blog some update pics of FOs (Crumpets, Reid) and updates on WIPs (irish hiking scarf, endpaper mitts). I've had a few cast ons (using tres campy and some stitch patterns from victorian lace today) but i haven't been bitten by the bug.

School continues to be tough and grueling, but I thought I could entertain some of you with the latest parent story. This one actually features my mom, who's usually more of a one-liner. Most people who spend a bit of time with me get to know some of my mom's quirky sayings... (some of which I recently found out are not quirky, just Chinese), such as "Nee won wuo, wuo won sei?" which word for word translates as "if you ask me, who should I go ask?" but really means "how the eff should I know?"

Phone rings. It's Sunday afternoon. I'm cozily ensconced in the research office at school. About 3pm.

Mom: CynCyn-a, where are you?
me: I'm at school, studying.
Mom: oh. You sure are at school a lot.
me: (thinking, I'm a student. Shouldn't I be at school a lot?)
Mom: Why didn't you pick something easier to study?
me: (thinking: what? is she crazy? she wanted me to go to medical school. Did she think that was gonna be a walk in the park?)
Mom: Hunh. I guess it's too late to make a different choice now. By the way, you know your paternal grandmother's health is doing well.
me: that's good...
Mom: you better hope that it continues to do well
** my grandmother will be 91 this December, and my maternal grandmother passed away about 7 weeks ago, so my mom bringing it up isn't TOTALLY out of the blue**
Me: well, of course.
Mom: you know, your father was THIS CLOSE to finishing his PhD, and your grandfather died at the exact wrong moment. Your father couldn't finish after that.
Me: uhh...
Mom: if your grandpa had died a year earlier or later, your Dad would have his PhD. I mean, all that work and he's that close, and he doesn't have his degree. *sigh* I can't even bring it up b/c I don't want to make him feel guilty.
Me: uh...
Mom: So, you better not let that happen to you! So you should hope that your grandmother continues to have good health.
Me: Mom! of course I hope grandma has good health. But, y'know, I think that I might have fewer choices about not finishing. I mean, yeah, it's too bad that Dad didn't get his PhD, but uhmm... he had something called a MEDICAL DEGREE to fall back on. I don't have one of those.
Mom: well, I just wanted you to know.
me: ok.
Mom: don't study too hard
me: (thinking, wtf? since when do my parents not want me to study hard? I thought the goal here was to kill me with the studying?) ok mom. bye.

Actually, I'm now reminded of another amusing phone conversation I had with my mom back when I was in college. She doesn't pull as many stunts as my dad, but when she does, they're doozies. I hope everyone is doing well. I know i've been missing lately, but I am reading blogs and trying to comment sporadically on everyone's. I'll be spending the weekend with my good friend Fairbairn (object relations theory) and some cognitive behavioral theory to conceptualize one of my clincial cases for a presentation due on Tuesday. Somewhere in there, Michigan will give me a heart attack as they play against Ohio State and I'll be saved from writing this damn paper.

you know it's been too long when...

2007-09-29T15:45:00.000-06:00

when your internet browser doesn't know the address of your blog. Aye. Ok. Quick and pictureless update. I hope to have pics for tomorrow (or next week).

1). TWO FO's. Reid is finally finished. The crocheted edge takes longer than I would've thought. Crumpets is also finished. I used a different edging than the pattern calls for... instead of a loopy/lacey crocheted edge around the skirt, I did a scalloped edging.

2) Cast on: I wanted to use my Tres Campy yarn, and cast on for the melon scarf/shawl out of Victorian Lace today. Unfortunately, while I loved the pattern itself, the yarn wasn't agreeing. It was pooling in an unattractive manner. RIPPIT. Cast on for the scarf on page 84.

3) school: actually, the classes i'm taking are fairly easy. what's hard is juggling the schoolwork, the teaching and supervision of 10 master's students (I teach for 1 hr, then meet with them in pairs every week), research, and my practicum... all of that is making my head spin. I'm tired and hungry a lot.

hope everyone is doing well.... i'll be back on a more regular basis as soon as I figure out how to keep my head above water.

EZ? Yes. Intuitive? No.

2007-09-03T19:18:00.000-06:00

I've finally knit my first Elizabeth Zimmerman garment. The baby surplice jacket is a cute variation on the ever popular baby surprise jacket... but since I had the pattern for the surplice, surplice it was.

At first, I thought maybe I am crazy or tetched in the head. I am NOT loving the pattern. I kept going, thinking, everyone else has made one of these, I can do it too. Plus, I excused EZ from any wrongdoing, since the pattern was dug up from her archives or something and re-written by someone at Vogue. I have to say that it took some faith to continue knitting past the increases, b/c I could not figure out the construction of this thing. No idea. No clue. Just... a leap of faith.

OH! OH LOOK! it says I just need to seam now? (but it seems like I'm in the middle of the garment? what?

I've only knit a few rows (maybe 5-6) since the last time I took pictures but I'm done! And amazed at the simplicity and genius of the design. Wanna see?

I love it. Can't wait to gift it. I'm knitting crumpets, plan on at least one pair of booties, and maybe I'll crochet a small car blanket. We'll see.

Gearing up...

2007-09-01T18:20:00.000-06:00

school starts on Tuesday for me. For my second year as a doctoral student, I'm expected to:
- spend 24 hrs per week off campus working as a counselor (practicum)
- spend 10 hrs per week in research assistantship
- spend 10 hrs per week teaching counseling skills to master's students
- take 3 courses

Mondays and Tuesdays will be my days on campus, and I'll spend Wed - Friday at my practicum site. Undoubtedly, Tuesday will be my LONG day, since I have class at 9a, and a class that ends at 930p. I'm hoping most of my other days are 9a-5p kind of days.

Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. check this video out... i giggled like a schoolgirl.

I heart ravelry

2007-08-31T22:15:00.000-06:00

So, in the pic of crumpets, there are two different dye lots at work there. One above the white stripe, and one below. A friend of mine suggested breaking up the dyelots by adding in a stripe, and while it DOES help, I can tell there's a difference.

OH NO! What to do?!?!?!? I had spent hours of my Saturday obsessively working on the top part of crumpets (I'm making the 1 yo size). In a bout (sp?) of desperation, I posted to the Yarn:ISO forum on Ravelry. Trumpets and drums please!!!

Less than 24 hours later, a wonderfully nice woman, Jen, with a very apropos blog title, came to my rescue! Not only is she willing to part with a few skeins of her sugarplum in the dyelot that I need, SHE WAS DOING THIS WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS UNDERGOING SURGERY. Ok, maybe not at the very moment, but close enough. How's that for knitterly kindness? I'm happy to report that the surgery went well, but please send positive vibes her way for me, huh?

technophobic... ??

2007-08-29T10:00:00.000-06:00

It's not that I am scared of technology, more that technology hates me. My router/modem kicked MY computer off the network this past weekend, and since my landlady was on vacay, i couldn't reset it until she got back. Very frustrating.

But, I bought this to help keep my space better organized. I was so excited about it, that I was inspired to clean my desk. The home office/desk area is never a very clean place, b/c as mail comes in, school papers, etc etc, they just get piled in the "to be filed at some point" piles.

See?

after many hours (including some hours that were spent re-reading books), I had this:

I would like to have my apt clean and tidy before school starts so I can feel as if I'm starting on the right foot. I ended up with a big bag of trash, and a big box of wastepaper to recycle.

Here are some pics of my trip out to San Fran.

Alcatraz from San Francisco. We took a boat tour too, but stupid me didn't charge my camera. It's a very daunting sight, and thinking about the history of the island makes me feel quite solemn.

The requisite picture of Lombard St. It's a CRAZY street, very whimsical. I walked down the side, and that was bad enough. I shudder to think of how many brake pads are ruined by driving down this steep and windy road.

On Monday, the group went on a winery tour. We stopped at a couple places for touristy things too, one of which was Muir Woods. A beautiful park, where you feel very very small.

Another pic of Muir woods, but with people for size reference.

Onto knitting content.
Here's a pic of the progress on the baby surplice jacket by EZ. I'm almost to the point where maybe I can puzzle out how this pattern works. This project is the one that caused my injury b/c it's knit so tightly.

I really think this yarn was meant to be baby stuffs. What was I thinking?

Here, I need your advice.

What do you think? I had 4 skeins of this shade of cotton ease in my stash. Of course, I didn't look at dyelots BEFORE I dived in. And OF COURSE, the ONE skein I randomly pick, is the ONE skein that's not matching in dyelot. GAH!! Is it horrible? Should I rip it out and scour the internets for a matching skein?

"must. touch. the. mommy."

If you're going to SF...

2007-08-24T16:36:00.000-06:00

Ok, I'm not one for wearing flowers in my hair, but I was sorely tempted. I loved being in San Francisco, but the travel to and fro was HORRID. For anyone who is thinking of going on a trip, please beware of Spirit Airlines. Yes, it's cheap. OK. But how cheap? The seats BARELY recline, I had difficulty with crossing my legs due to lack of leg space (I'm 5'3), and they will only serve you water. You want a soda? Sure. That's $1. Want a bag of combos? The small ones that hold about 10 combos? That'll be $4. We had a lay over in Detroit, but were asked to stay on the same plane to help speed up the process. My group of travelers (3 others) were hungry, so I jumped off the plane to get us snacks. Good thing, b/c when I got back, we found out we were supposed to PAY for snacks. Plus, my lower back is still in a bit o pain from being so uncomfortable for such long periods of time.

Ok. enough beeyatching. I have some pics of things, and I'll share those later. I did manage to spend a little bit of time with Cristina. She picked me up so we could enjoy some yummy dim sum and catch up. Unfortunately, due to SCHOOL STUFF, I couldn't hang out overly much, and missed out on seeing all the LYS in SF that she wanted to show me. Stupid school. Always getting in the way of me having a life.

Since I'm too tired to deal with photos, I'll do the meme. Stolen from Carrie (who not only shares my first initial, but also the lack of patience).

SCATTERGORIES ... and it's harder than it looks! Here are the rules:
* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.
* They MUST be real places, names, things ... NOTHING made up!
* If you can't think of anything, skip it.
* You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
* If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!

My name: Cynthia

1. Famous Singer/Band: The Cure
2. Four letter word: C**t. what can I say? I'm crass. I do hate the word though.
3. Street: Canterbury St.
4. Color: Cerulean
5. Gifts/Presents: Cash, cards
6. Vehicle: Cabriolet
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: cards (of the post card variety)
8. Boy Name: Chase
9. Girl Name: Carole
10. Movie Title: Catch Me If You Can
11. Drink: Crush
12. Occupation: Counselor
13. Celebrity: Clay Aiken (oh God. Shoot me)
14. Magazine: Cooking Light
15. U.S. City: Chicago
16. Pro Sports Teams: Canucks (Vancouver)
17. Fruit: Cherries
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Child is sick
19. Something You Throw Away: cans (soda)
20. Things You Shout: Can it!
21. Cartoon Character: Captain Hook?

Knitting related injury

2007-08-13T22:02:00.001-06:00

I have again managed to hurt myself by knitting too much (gasp!) I have not much to report. I realized, in a sudden burst of realization and need for procrastination, that my friend is about 3 months away from giving birth, and I have not knit one. single. thing. I didn't knit when she had her first, but I've got no excuse now. Except for school.

I cast on for the EZ Baby Surplice Jacket (found in the Vogue Spring/Summer 2007 issue) using Trendsetter Taos that i had purchased many moons ago to make Donna. See pic of yarn knit up here. What was I thinking? that I was gonna wear something pastel-y? Much better suited for a baby girl. The yarn is aran weight, but I'm using US5s. That's probably contributing to the injury. Basically, the muscle on the right side of my right hand (along the pinky finger side of my palm) is very very sore. It hurts a little to type and navigate the touchpad of the laptop.

I leave for San Francisco on Wednesday. Hopefully, I'll get to spend some time with Cristina!! I'll be back next week.

Unexpected radio silence

2007-08-09T11:33:00.000-06:00

I know most of you are used to me not blogging with any regularity or frequency, but I swear, this time it was NOT MY FAULT.

RIP Dell Latitude D620 #2. 1/16/07-8/4/2007

My hard drive crashed and burned. Apparently, I leave my computer on too long. Hmph.
what's this you ask? here's a snippet of my convo with the computer geeks (I do not use the term geek pejoratively... I like geeks. I am a geek... just not a computer geek)

Me: Any idea what might have caused this?
Geek 1: Do you carry your laptop around while it's still on?
Me: no, I always shut down
Geek 2: What about on standby, do you carry it around on standby?
Me: NO, i turn it all the way off. i shut it down before I carry it anywhere.
Geek 2: oh. Well. how long do you leave your computer on for? at a time?
Me: (silence....) Um... I turn it on when I get up, and turn it off when i go to bed?
Geek 1: Oh.
Geek 2: Oh. um. These laptops are kind of fragile. You probably burned your hard drive.
Me: <-- puzzled look on face? wha?
Geek 2: You should only have your laptop on for 7 hours max, then turn it off for 30min to an hour to let it cool off.
Me: Oh. Okay. (thinking... did they write this in the instruction manual? I mean, dang. who knew?)

When i took a closer look at my computer later, I saw this...

probably not a good sign. I think I have some sort of aura that tells technology to hate me. My first laptop died on the move out here (fine fine, it was 2-3 yrs old), the second got stolen from my apartment, and then the hard drive on the second died. As far as I can discern, the hard drive IS the computer. All the important bits anyway. So, all my pictures are gone gone gone. Sniff.

The day after I found out my computer's hard drive needed replacing, I was futzing around on my desktop, trying to get it connected to the internets, when I glanced over at my alarm clock. 12:00. Eh? It's 5:48pm! Wha? Ra-row. I unplug the clock, plug it back in, try shaking it, tapping it (smacking it with my hand). Nada. It's stuck on 12:00. Effers.

However, I have been extraordinarily productive in the fiber world over the last few days. I finished the fifth section of babette, and have been seaming the pieces together as I go (thanks to advice from Maryse. I've managed to get up to the increase section of Hourglass, and start the heel on my sandal sock.

Babette:

"zzzzzzzzzzzzz.... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... eh? wha?"

"damn. what's a guy gotta do for some shut eye here? SHEESH!"

Here's everything I've got seamed together. I'm working on section VI.

I told Stacey that there was a square that was BRIGHT, but that I liked it. I think the brown edging really helps tone it down though (but I still like it)

I have found that I left my Hourglass in the car, so you get a pic of Madli. She's minus 1 border right now.

Here we have the sandal socks. I have the finished one here too, as proof that i'm not just recycling old pics (b/c I wouldn't put it past me)

Oh! The Places You Will Go

2007-08-05T14:45:00.000-06:00

Since the last post, I've been busy with research meetings. Two a days, if you will. 9a-1p, then 1p-5p. I think I'm lucky I only had one three a day (9a-noon, 1-430p, 430p-7p). But I've managed to have some fun too!

On Thursday evening, I met up with a fellow Ravelrer and went to go see the Yarn Harlot. Maybe 'listen' would be a better verb for what I did (I was knitting, ok? sheesh). Stephanie was even funnier than on her blog, and made us look at the muggles in an entirely new way. Whilst there, I met Jess and Casey of Ravelry fame, and a bunch of other Ravelrers. Best of all, I got to see the newest addition to Obsession du Jour's household. SO TINY!!
We decided to hoof it over to a restaurant across the way for drink and food. By the time we got settled and ordered drinks, we got the notice that Julia would be bringing Stephanie in a few minutes. We had to relocate to another restaurant b/c the kitchen was closing at Joe's (it was already 10p). I think I got home right before 1am that night.

Saturday, I treated myself to the IMAX/3D showing of Harry Potter. SO WORTH IT. My date with myself cost me almost $20 b/c the ticket was $11.50 and a small popcorn ($4) and medium soda ($4.50) were a rip. Note to self: no popcorn at IMAX theatre. It's stale. But the movie in 3D was AWESOME!! I'd love to go again just to get better seats (stupid me, going on a saturday!! it was completely sold out and i was at the end of the line.)

Today, I met up with another group of ravelrers for brunch at a local bakery. Good times! Someone ordered a completely scrumptious omelet of spinach, bacon, and brie. She was kind enough to let me have a bite, which just confirmed the fact that she had ordered better than me.

All this fun makes up for the fact that I was up working until 130am last night. And will probably be doing that today too. Don't feel bad, it's my fault for not starting to work until 10p.

ps. Hourglass pics next up. I'm about 7" into the body. Quick quick knit so far! Also making progress on sandal sock #2 and babette.

Camp Never Wanna Go Home

2007-08-01T23:42:00.001-06:00

Last we left off, Michelle and Stacey had come to pick me up. First stop? my fave LYS. Yes yes, I know I now live in Boston, which has MANY A YARN STORE. But you can't really beat being able to have yarn held for you at a moment's notice. I needed some addi lace needles (that's my excuse for asking to go) and ended up with the needles, plus two skeins of

which is tagged for a market bag like Michaele has already made. (they're even cuter when stuffed!)

Sufficiently armed/geared up for camp, we went over to Stacey's house so I could see the new furniture, and so we could watch the dancing show (So You Think You Can Dance) to which Stacey and I are absolutely addicted.

Look what I got!!

I've 'met' Mary Kay through Ravelry and heard tons about her through my grrlz. She asked Stacey what my 'colors' were and gave me some of this gorgeous hand dyed sock yarn! Thanks Mary Kay!! I LOVE IT. The kind of love where I might not knit with it b/c I love it too much. Sounds crazy, but I do this with lots of yarn that I love. Just ask any of the grrlz.

We met up with Stacey's mom (hi Marsha!) and sister (hey Whit!) for lunch at a local vietnamese restaurant. We stuffed ourselves FULL and then headed out for camp.

Other people have already documented something or another about our annual Camp Wanna Knit Knit. Stacey just recently posted pics of our fab gift bags this year, put together by... almost all of us. Kim got us started off by finding the cute mini sock blockers, Stacey, Michelle and I cooked up the custom dyed yarn from Adrian at Hello Yarn. What's yarn without some stitch markers from Hide and Sheep? Michelle rounded out the package by ordering some highlighter tape from Knit Foundry. Seriously folks, you gotta see the pics Stacey took of the awesome bags that Carmen made for us!

I managed to finish knitting Reid (which is still in progress b/c I am still finishing it. I've seamed up the seams, but need to crochet the contrasting edging).

I also finished knitting the lace pattern repeats of Madli. I'm a little scared to knit the second lace edging and graft that onto the center part, but I'm SO CLOSE to the end! I will be purchasing some blocking wires, since I want the edges to be nice and straight. I also cast on for the hourglass sweater, using a beautiful color of Noro Cash Iroha. I was cracking myself up while I was at Michelle's house, just before leaving for the airport to come back to Boston. In the project bag I used for the hourglass, I had packed away 9 (yes, NINE) skeins of the yarn. Ambitious? Optimistic? Stupid? yes, yes, and yes.

I'll finish up camp in another post.

Camp Laze-A-Way

2007-07-31T13:19:00.000-06:00

I just got back from Colorado and I miss it already! (actually, I was missing it while I was there, so... I'm pretty much just always missing it). I had a wonderful time, packed full of good times with great friends. There is WAY too much to talk about all in one day, and I'd like to post chronologically... basically, what I'm saying is that there may not be knitting content in each post.

On Wednesday, I spent the day with LRHM (Little Red Headed Monster) and his mom. We had a lovely time hanging out at home, playing 'monster' and 'airplane' and of course, we took a trip to Sweet Tomatoes. My friend and I let her husband take the kidlets home after a most satisfying dinner while we took off and got some adult drinky drinks and caught up.

Let's back up one second. I have a new code name for my rack. "Food" or "plenty of food". when I told the campers the story, they cracked up and we used these new names for the rest of the weekend. I think Stacey needs to talk about our 'barns' too.

So, i was buckling LRHM into the car and saying goodnight to him after our dinner. He VERY casually pats my breast (this kid has had pretty free and clear access to my rack since he was born. How do you feel awkward about letting a baby feel you up?) and asks "is that your nipple?" Now, his dad and I both comment to him that it was inappropriate to touch me there (when the kid learns the name for the body part? that means he can also learn it's not ok to be feeling me up). I told him that it was my breast, and that they're like his mommy's breasts. So then, the little smart effer says, while staring at my rack "oh! you have plenty of food!" Jeez. I've had guys comment about the size of my front before, but dang.

Anyway, we went off for drinks, talked about our relationships (husbands, dating, friends, parents, parents in laws, sisters in laws, etc etc) and other general girl talk. (it helped that we had a VERY cute waiter).

On Thursday morning, i met a friend for breakfast at Mona's where I had a very satisfying breakfast burrito. How I miss thee, breakfast burrito with green chile!! Then Stacey and Michelle came and got me so we could commence with our camp plans!!

Here's a pic of the LRHM in the funny t-shirt I got him at babystyle. His mom is a family therapist (which is what i got my master's counseling degree in too) and there's this concept that we take out our frustrations within the family on those with less 'power' than ourselves.

Camp stuff (aka knitting content) next!

So much to do... so little time.

2007-07-21T22:22:00.000-06:00

I have a long list of 'things to do' some of which are much more pleasurable than others.
First, the list in order of preference

1) Crochet the babette blanket. I was actually pulled into this project from Ravelry, and the version I saw used Cotton Ease instead of the suggested Koigu. KOIGU!! Who's sacrificing 23 skeins of koigu? NOT MOI. I've already started. I finally made it down to Graceful Stitches to hang out with Maryse for a little stitch time. She helped reacquaint me with my crochet self. Here are three different squares I've made thus far.

largest square, with magazine for size reference

These two are squares I started w/o looking at the color chart. I really like them, so they'll probably get stuck in the blanket somewhere or another.

2) Finish Reid. 2 sleeves, seaming, and edging to go.

3) Finish rereading HP books, then read book 7.

4) Catch up on Sookie Stackhouse

5) Catch up on Anita Blake

6) Go see the HP movie again, preferably in IMAX theatre.

7) Get paper written up and poster organized for the APA conference in August.

8) write the final paper for that class... the one I took an 'incomplete' last semester. If I don't finish this paper before the beginning of Fall semester, I won't get paid, I don't get to go to class.

Obviously, some of these 'to do' are more important than others. If you're wondering why reading the HP book isn't further up the list... it's b/c it's the LAST book. Once I've read it... that's it. End of story. And that makes me a little sad.

Shoulds

2007-07-20T22:02:00.000-06:00

I *should* be reading Harry Potter in anticipation of watching the new movie tomorrow afternoon, and then spending the night with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and Snape. Probably will be spending most of Sunday in bed with them too (I love waking up, not having anywhere to go, and just reading and snuggling with the furbabies).

But I got a bit of knitting mojo back, which is probably b/c I'm under deadline. I've been working on Reid for a professor from my master's program... um. FOR HER BABY, I mean. This professor is the reason I'm in a doc program, she's been a great mentor and important in shaping me into who I am today. While I was her teaching assistant for about a year, she was going through fertility issues, trying to get and stay pregnant. She had given up, decided she couldn't keep putting her body through the drugs... when she ended up pregnant! I crocheted her a baby blanket before I left Denver, but I wanted to make her baby girl something to wear too. (I'll try to post pics of the FO when it's, well. Finished.) I'm done with the back and two fronts, and will cast on for the 2 sleeves after I'm done reading the BOOK.

It had occurred to me that I haven't written about my parents in awhile. Lest you think that they have disappeared, or somehow gotten the hint that I am a FULL GROWN ADULT...

preface: My brother (older than me by 2-3 yrs) just got a new job. Work is a little slow, so he's kinda bored. Men in my family do NOT tolerate boredom well. They become very irritating and annoying. He's been IMing me (why o why did I introduce him to the joy of google chat?) and asking questions like... so, when are you going to be done with your degree? what are you going to do afterwards? Grrr.... These online convos took place about a week or so ago.

a few days after that...

phone: ring ring ring

Me: hello?
Dad: (in Mandarin): CynCyn-a. This is your Dad. (uhh... why the identifier? Do other people's parents do this when they call them? I mean, how many men does my dad think call me and speak to me in Mandarin?)

Me: Hi Dad. What's up?
Dad: What have you been doing?
Me: Working on research for my professors...
Dad: Oh. So, is this research for your dissertation? Is that what this research is for?
Me: Uhm no Dad...
Dad: so, this work is just for them? You don't get anything out of it?
Me: well, I get published, and the experience...
Dad: Why can't it be part of your dissertation? Haven't you started writing it yet?

Background info: My dad (according to my mom) worked on a PhD while he was studying for the medical licensing board exams here in the States. He did research. Lots of it. He started writing a dissertation but didn't finish b/c (i'm guessing) he got his medical license and was accepted to a residency program. Basically, I'm saying that the process of dissertation shouldn't be THAT foreign to him.

Me: Dad... I JUST finished my first year!! We don't even start thinking about a TOPIC for our dissertation until third year.

Dad: Oh. Really? How long is this program going to take?
Me: (sigh). At least 5 years Dad. Probably six years...
Dad: SIIIGGGGH. Really? Hmph.

Boy o boy! I sure am looking forward to year 5 or year 6!

ANTICIPATION!!

2007-07-19T08:35:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited for several reasons!! But first, I've lost my knitting mojo on the Mystery Stole #3. I don't know if it's b/c I'm not really sure I like the shape of it. Not like I don't have enough other stuff on the needles...

ANYWAY.
1) I'm finally going to go see the new HP movie this weekend! Seems like no one I know in Boston (all 5 ppl. Ok. maybe... 15) is an HP fan. Sweet Jesus, what's wrong with these ppl? (but i know that people in Boston are fans, b/c there is Potterpalooza going on everywhere).

2) THE BOOK! I'm excited to see how everything turns out for all the characters, but most especially for Ron, Hermione, and Snape. I love Snape. Which is why book 6 broke my heart. What I want from book 7? A nice unhappy ending for Malfoy. Lucius and Draco. All of these HP events mean that this entire weekend will be devoted to HP. Either watching or reading. I will have to exercise some restraint in order to not start reading book 7 before going to see movie 5.

3) On Tuesday (the 24th of July), I fly out to CO to see my friends! YAY! We're having camp again, and we always have a great time. Since I'm staying longer in CO this trip, I'll also be seeing my favorite professors from my master's program, and some other friends too.

I'm itching to cast on for a few new projects that i've found by being nosey on Ravelry. The babette blanket from Interweave Crochet (spring 2006) is calling my name, even though I have no expectant mamas right now... I also want to cast on for Hourglass or T Shirt Sweater. BUT I NEED to finish Reid (knitty) b/c I'm gifting it on July 30th. I guess that takes precedence, huh?

TINK a long

2007-07-13T13:29:00.000-06:00

Seems I have done almost the opposite of knitting lately (of the time that I spend on knit related things, I have not spent enough of that time actually KNITTING).

First, the mystery stole debacle. Then, the phenomenon that is Ravelry. There are discussion boards, groups, pictures, patterns, stashes, projects (both finished and in progress), books... and whatever else knitting/crochet related that you could imagine. I've been sucked in and am busy taking pictures of my stash in order to properly catalog what all I have...

23 skeins of koigu.
10 skeins of Cherry Tree Hill
10 skeins of BMFA Socks That Rock

uh... maybe I don't want to keep inventory-ing.

When I piled all the koigu up on my couch so I could take pictures and double check colorways?

Mystery Stole - un- along

2007-07-11T20:14:00.001-06:00

I thought I could live in denial for a bit. I really did. I had cast on for MS#3 with my skaska yarn, US5s. I ripped it, and used US4s. Ripped it, and used US3s. I'm not a loose knitter at all... so I told myself "this is lace, lace ALWAYS looks like crap until you block it... maybe the yarn will... bloom... when you block it! yeah, that's it, it'll bloom!"

I was able to be in denial... up until I got a few rows into clue #2, and my friends started pointing out blogs with pics of completed clue #1. CRAP. I just can't stay in denial, much as I love it there. I even thought to self, "well, maybe it looks like crap, but it'll look better once it's blocked... and really, even if it's not that pretty, you don't WEAR lace anyway, so... it's ok."

No. I couldn't live with it. I had an online convo with Wanda, who is always good for an honest (even if it hurts) opinion. RIP-PIT all out. Then I couldn't figure out what yarn to use... most of my stashed lace weight yarn is variegated, and my sock yarn collections is only intended for socks (meaning, i only buy enough to make a pair of socks). SO NOW WHAT? Celia to the rescue!!! She had sent me, in one of our international exchanges, some beautiful bright blue laceweight yarn. She had suggested that I pair it with another yarn to tone it down. Which is what I did. It was quite painful (there were many many knots in my skasa yarn). it involved much cutting and spit joining and cursing and waving away the too interested cats. I have yarn burn on my left hand (which guided the two yarns... one from ball, one from swift). But I think it was worth it.

Two steps forward, one step back, they say. Well, i feel like I've been taking one step forward, 2 steps back. I hope that trend is at an end.

Blink. Blink. Breathe. :|| (rinse, repeat)

2007-07-09T10:09:00.001-06:00

Ever since getting my first snort of Ravelry, I've been hooked. If not for the need to hydrate, eat, potty, and the insistence of Danger and Cosmo's plaintive wails of "pet me, pet me, pet me," I think I would need about a week straight of ravelry-ing to feel like I had my stuff/stash organized the way I wanted on the site. If you haven't signed up for an invite, you might want to... NOW. They probably have over 10K ppl on the waiting list, but it'll be worth the wait. They do over 1000 invites per week, so....

I got a package in the mail from Stacey. She sent me ...

and this cute tee

Thanks Stace!

In other news, I *DID* find my camera to computer cord (about 15 minutes after posting last time) and I *DID* take pictures. Were any of them of anything I've been working on? of course not silly rabbit! trix are for kids.

but i did find this pic, which i'll leave you with...
"Hmph!! Ignore me? Hmph" - Danger

i need a channeling

2007-07-07T19:17:00.000-06:00

b/c i seem to have misplaced my camera to computer cord. Seeing as I finally got my invite to Ravelry, this fact is becoming more and more disturbing to me. I know it's here SOMEWHERE. So, if anyone has any ESP abilities, please ask my Sony Cybershot PSC-200 camera cord where it is hiding (or, alternatively, where *I* carefully stowed it for easy access, hmph).

In other (non knitting) news,... you're all used to that by now, aren't you?
um. right. Took the furkids to the vet yesterday. I LOVE this vet. He's the only one at this clinic/hospital AND he only sees cats. He's in the examining room almost the entire time the cats are in the room, so I always feel like he thoroughly examines them. Oh. the news. (I think I need some ritalin maybe?) I am quite happy to report that Danger is back up to his previous healthy weight between 10-11 lbs. YAY. The IAMS food did the trick. His weight loss was his way of saying "poo poo to the fancy schmancy healthy for me food. Gimme some CARBS!" He takes after his mommy.

Of course, now the OTHER one is el gordo. Cosmo is def. a heavyweight, coming in at 16 lbs. SIXTEEN lbs!! Seems he and i should both sign up for 1800-Jenny Craig. Did I mention that I love the vet I've found? He recommended that I give Cosmo some canned pumpkin every day to help fill him up with some fiber.

In KNITTING news, I'm actively working on three lace projects

1) Reid from Knitty. I need to complete this project by July 29th. I'm gifting it to one of my professors in Denver (for her 1 yr old daughter). I'm done with the back, and right front. Half way done with left front. Two sleeves and seaming to go. Bleh.

2) Madli shawl from IK Summer 2005?. On repeat #28 or 29 of 31.

3) Mystery Stole #3. Just finished clue #1 last night, printed out clue #2 today.

too busy Ravelry-ing to knit.

must find cord.

must.

Instant Katma's gonna getcha

2007-07-02T16:44:00.000-06:00

Sorry. no pics. I have no idea(r) where my camera/computer cord is stashed away. I'm sure I very cleverly put it where I would be able to easily find it. Uh huh - uh huh.

I've started the Mystery Stole madness. I'm using Skaska lace weight yarn that I bought at the Estes wool festival in 2006. A very dark blue/grey called "midnight." Stupidly, I did not swatch. I cast on with my US5s, thinking I used this needle size with helen's lace... nope. Looked horrid. Rip back 30+ rows, cast on with US4s. Work up to row 25ish. Rip-pit. I've settled on US3s. Up to row 47. Cat is next me, napping. We're all one big happy family.

UNTIL.

UNTIL I hear the smack smack smack of little cat lips. Dangling next to the previously very cute cat lips that I like to give kisses to? An end of lace weight yarn.... which is now detached from my WIP.

FUCKER. he's been banished to the floor, while I gather the nerve to see if this skaska yarn will spit join. It's called 'superlamb' which I hope does not mean it won't spit join. Who would need superwash lace weight yarn? I mean, even if it is superwash, it's still LACE.

Off to find some scissors to cut off the ends of the yarn ... only to hope that my own spit will reverse the damages rendered by the cat spit.

The aches, pains, and joys of moving

2007-06-15T19:45:00.000-06:00

I am SUPER excited to be moving to this new apartment. The new landlady gave me keys last Sunday, and I've been slowly taking bits and pieces of my life to the new apartment over the last week... One carload before school (er, work), one load after. Maybe. First to go were my collections. Yarn. Shoes. Bags. Books (subsets: school, pleasure, knitting). Folks, I have a lot of stuff. Moving almost makes me think I might have TOO much. (nah!!!)

The new place is much nicer, cleaner, quieter, and cheaper. My rent is almost $300 cheaper, and I don't have to pay for any of my utilities (electricity, cable, internet). YAY. I'm shopping around for a private gym membership now (b/c I've gained the 1st year doctoral program version of the freshman 15, which feels like first year fat fat fat). Anyone in the greater Boston area have suggestions? I've looked online at Healthworks and BSC. I love the idea of all women (but, I might miss the inspirational effects of watching men doing their tricep dips and pull ups), it's got a salon attached to the gym, and the locker room sounds more like a spa than a typical gym. HOWEVER, you have to pay extra to take the group classes? eh.
I digress. The new place also feels bigger. I have closets GALORE. I have a yarn closet (where I'll store needles, my baby/acrylic/felting yarn, ball winder and swift. I have another closet just for my shoe and pocketbook collection. I have a HUGE clothes closet, and a linen closet. Is a perfect fit for moi, non? I also love how I have my yarntainer next to my collection of knitting books (on a built in shelf) and a nice comfy chair between the two. I'll have pictures soon. I started inventorying my yarn while I was packing, but I decided it was going to be a wasted effort (if and when I get invited to Ravelry).

while i'm glad to have moved from my old crappy apt, I hate moving... I'm crabby and bitchy, I feel dirty all the time, and my furbabies are disoriented (Danger keeps meowing for me at the door. DUDE. My ass is on the couch where it always is!).

Just a quick hello and entry to remind myself where I was in my life at this point. It was Stacey's birthday yesterday, and the Estes Wool Festival is happening this weekend. I'm sad to be missing it, but I really shouldn't complain.

Hope you are all doing well. I promise to start back to commenting on blogs soon (instead of drive by reading).

(in)Sanity Break

2007-06-06T16:46:00.000-06:00

You'd think I would've needed this break from the blog during my finals (oh, wait. I took one. I just didn't bother to say so.) But I'm officially taking a small break. Maybe I'll post after I move (which is on the 15th). Maybe I'll post when I get back from NYC (on the 23rd). Knowing me, I'll want to share some pics of what my yarn stash looks like in it's new home, so I'll do a quickie fly by post before I go to NYC.

What have I been up to? I have yet to see the light of day today (step outside of my apt). I have been a procrastinating fool today, but there's so much to do, that I've been kind of productive in my procrastinating efforts. I can avoid packing if I do schoolwork. I can avoid schoolwork if I pack. So, it just depends on what I feel like doing. Right now? It's packing up the yarn. Incredible how much you can horde when you're not looking!! For example... 23 skeins of Koigu, 10 skeins of Cherry Tree Hill, and 10 skeins of STR. Whoa. Then there's the every so strange... didn't I have more? phenomenon... like as I was inventory-ing/packing away the lace weight yarn, and I only had 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace. I thought I had 3. (Not that I dont' have plenty of lace weight yarn, i'm just saying).

Does anyone out there still have VHS? I have a collection which I can't use anymore b/c I don't have a VCR anymore.
Disney movies:
Little Mermaid
Robin Hood
Beauty and the Beast
Prince of Egypt
Aladdin
Tarzan
Charlotte's Web
Mary Poppins

others:
Sound of Music
Life is Beautiful
Remember the Titans
Men of Honor
Autumn in New York
There's Something about Mary
Shawshank Redemption

If you want one, some, all of them, please leave me a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS so I can reply to you and get your name/address. I only ask that you pay shipping. Otherwise, I'll probably find a local DV shelter who might need some movies.

see you soon!

IT

2007-05-31T15:23:00.001-06:00

For some reason, everyone else thinks that Stephen King's "IT" is the scariest book/movie that he ever wrote. Ok, it was scary, true. Book version was scarier than the movie. (oops, I digress). The point is, I've been tagged by Cristina for the 7 random facts meme.

1) English is not my first spoken language. Though I now consider it (English) my primary language, I grew up speaking two different dialects of Chinese b/c my grandmothers took care of me when I was a wee babe. My mom worked, and someone had to watch us. My paternal grandmother only speaks Fukienese and my maternal grandmother only speaks Mandarin. Hence, I grew up speaking both dialects.

2) I like to read/gorge on authors. ~~Hence~~ So,
(ETA: what's up with the hencing? I think it's b/c I love when the elf dude in LOTR says "the ring must be unmade from whence it came"...)
the current obsession with Hamilton and Harris and the vampires. The summer after 9th grade, I went through every single Stephen King book published up until then (up to Tommyknockers) while I was at camp. While reading Misery I had to sleep with a light on. Creepy clowns scare me, but I know that they're not real. Crazy PEOPLE, however, actually exist, and scare the bejeezus out of me. (other authors i've done with this include the janet evanovich, suzanne brockmann, dean koontz, robin cook, anne rice, and a whole host of romance authors).

3) As you might've begun to notice or speculate from #2, I have a touch of OCPD, tempered by my procrastination. In high school and college, I would make lists of things to do, for class, for work, for fun (yes, i listed my fun things) etc etc. I had so many lists, I made a master list of my lists. And I loved it. I loved crossing things off my list so I could rewrite the lists. LOVED IT. A great procrastination technique too.

4) I have taken lessons/played the violin, piano, and clarinet. The first two are practically a requirement of being Chinese (I know, i'm reinforcing stereotypes, but it's kinda sorta true for 2nd generation Asian Americans). I regret not continuing with piano, but won't tell my Mom b/c she'll say "I told you so" (which she did...)

5) I am tactilely (is that a word?) oriented. I learn best by taking notes or writing and rewriting information. Visualization is second best (reading the information). I had a security blanket when I was a kid, and only gave it up when my parents got me a dog (I gave the puppy my blankie). My mom had tried hiding it from me at night, but I couldn't sleep w/o it, and forced my brother to help me hunt for it. (in other words, i wouldn't let him sleep until I found it). I think that this orientation is why i love knitting with wool, but not silk and acrylic. Squeaky stuff gives me the heebie jeebies.

6) I am not abso-smurfly-positively sure that I am going to finish this damn program. Another five years? I half joke very frequently that I'm this close to packing up my car (with yarn and cats) and driving home to Denver. Of course, my stubbornness won't let me quit. If I was going to quit, I would've quit before finals. Comprehensive exams and the dissertation process scare me. A lot. I will probably need therapy.

7) It wasn't until high school that I realized my parents have strong accents when they speak English. I had to ask a friend if they did, b/c my parents don't speak to me in English. yes, I know, I could just listen to them on the phone, but I was usually drowning them out.

Rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog

Now I have to tag people? C'mon. It's like chain letters in blogland. I refuse. If you want it, take it. (And I would love to read it from Stacey, Michelle (who only listed one quirk), and. um.... everyone else has already done it (everyone else that I know... I think).

New new new

2007-05-30T22:30:00.000-06:00

Nothing new, actually. Not really. Just got back from a quick trip to CA to celebrate a friend's kid's b-day. I'll have pics of the rockin' cake we made soon. I'll be going back (to SF this time, not LA) in August for school related stuff, b/c I am a geeky nerd.

Knitting... on Madli (thanks to the new addi lace needles, I've renewed my interest... on repeat 26, 5 more to go!) and on the sock in Spirit Trail. About to turn the heel on the second sock, then I'm excited to cast on for a new lace project and new socks. Plus maybe a sweater for the fall (it's a stockinette project... either hourglass or a very similar sweater).

I saw this on Kim's blog, and I really wanted this result

You Are the Middle Finger

A bit fragile and dependent on your friends, you're not nearly as hostile as you seem.
You are balanced, easy to get along with, and quite serious.
However, you can get angry and fed up with those around you. And you aren't afraid to show it!

You get along well with: The Index Finger

Stay away from: The Pinky

What Finger Are You?

TOO FUNNY! I don't think it's really true (can we talk nerdily about the psychometrics of this test?) but the middle finger might be my favorite.

My knitting content is lacking b/c I've become obsessed with two different book series. The Anita Blake books by Laurell K Hamilton (kind of grown up and gory Buffy the vampire slayer), and the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. Another vampire series. What's fueling my obsession with vampires? I have no idea. All I can come up with is that vampires and werewolves and zombies are SO NOT REAL that I am loving immersing myself in complete FICTION. I have not had to re-read a single sentence b/c I didn't understand them. Or have to think about the impact of the book for hours afterwards. The only thinking I'm doing is... is she gonna be alive at the end of the book? Is she gonna kill the monster?

Oh! I'm also moving apartments in a couple weeks. Which means I need to pack. And inventory my yarn. SCARY!

Booooo to MD S&W aka Don't Cry for me Argentina.

2007-05-17T19:19:00.000-06:00

I had a total blast with Wanda. We went to Windsor Button on Friday afternoon. Much was added to both of our pattern stashes (rationalization: If one has a large yarn stash, one MUST have a large pattern stash, in order to have options for what to do with said large yarn stash). I would've preferred to go to Windsor Button AFTER NH S&W, but they're not open on Sunday or Monday (boo!).

So. the festival!! I had much fun, and no pictures (both Wanda and I forgot our cameras!). I was on a MISSION to get more Spirit Trail 100% merino sock yarn, but it was not meant to be. The owner, a lovely lovely lady, explained that she got decimated at the MD S&W the weekend before. I was crushed. CRUSHED! I want lots of this yarn, in lots of colors (um, lots of colors that *I* like). She had 2 colors, a bright turquoise/aqua (wanda took a pic of hers) and a yellow/taupe color. I bought a skein of the turq, but I was truly disappointed she didn't have more.

Don't cry for me, though. I managed to console myself with 2 skeins of Schaefer Anne in gorgeous colors, a couple lace addi turbos (love em!), and another skein of something or another (more sock yarn). The best part of going? Seeing everyone there. Maryse, Wendy, with her little one, Carole, Elisa, Stitchy aka Deb, and the "I missed my calling as a drug dealer, so I'll be a yarn pusher instead" Kellee. I'm sure I'm leaving off a whole bunch of folks, but please to forgive. I was just coming off the end of the semester, three hellish weeks in which very little sleep was obtained. I'm still catching up on rest.

Pics of my stash enhancement this weekend. too lazy to take pics.

Part 1

2007-05-08T21:41:00.000-06:00

What does a "K"nitter do when she's got her back to the wall? SHE KNITS. Not as much as she'd like to, but she manages to get a row (or 10) done here and there.

I've finished part 1. I have to make the matching sock, otherwise, it's kind of wasted, right? I can't wait to wear these with my, um. oh CRAP. I have no crocs. I have one pair of winter type clogs. I refuse to wear socks with birks or tevas (plus, i don't own either). I am a little worried about how delicate the heel in the back looks... but honestly? this yarn was such a pleasure to knit with, i don't mind if i have to knit up more.

thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement. Comments gave me a great excuse to take a small break from writing/studying. I'm alive (that was kind of my mantra as I was going through these last two weeks of hell... that I would survive... even if I didn't do as well on my projects as I wanted, that i would physically survive. one day at a time, right?)

ps. Guess what plans I have for this weekend? Wanda is coming to visit me, and it just HAPPENS to be the weekend of NH S&W. Fate? Cosmos? Kismet? Serendipity. Whatever you want to call it, I'm not strong enough to resist the call.

They're coming to take me away...

2007-05-04T17:30:00.000-06:00

You know something is wrong when you HOPE that someone is coming to take you away to the looney bin. It would really be a refreshing break. I'm blogging from school, so that I can take a break. I'm sitting in a conference room instead of my cubicle, because I'm convinced the imprint of my behind is molded into the chair in the cubby...

I have pics of my sock to show.

I'm much further along now. I've turned the heel, decreased the gusset, and am knitting the foot. I love love love the yarn (100% merino). From Spirit Trail Fiberworks, which I purchased at Rhinebeck last October. WHY DIDN"T I GET MORE? Of course, the color doesn't hurt. Pleasing shades of blue and olive green. Very sproingy yarn!

Ever have those moments when you KNOW you are getting sick? Because you're wearing yourself to the bone? Tuesday night, I stayed at school from about 9am til about 5am the next day. I had meetings from 9a-2p, class from 430-7p. Then I worked on the paper until I turned it in. I went home to shower and feed the cats. Sad life. Sad sad life that I WANTED. I'm throwing myself a huge pity party. With confetti. I like to have a fancy pity party please.

Oh. I had a comment from angelpix about my clessidra sock. However, you (she?) didn't leave an email addy for me to contact you with my modifications! How am I supposed to give you the information? I emailed the Clessidra KAL blogmaster, and she didn't have contact info for you either!! I'll cross post over on the clessidra blog, but you need to leave a comment WITH contact info please!!

I hope everyone else is having a nice week, and has some fun plans for the weekend! I've got this paper due on Monday, and a final exam due on Tuesday. Then two more projects over the next two weeks after that... and I think I'll have succeeded in at least developing a large ulcer.
Cheers!

ps. Some? None? of you have known me long enough to recognize the signs. But I'm back on the sauce. After abstaining for 6 years, I am back up to 2-3 a day. My limiting factor is my old stomach and lack of protective lining. The stuff is GOOD. SO GOOD. GIMME MORE!!!

Between

2007-04-29T16:16:00.000-06:00

It's amazing how productive you can be when you're busy. My theory is that you feel less guilty for procrastinating on something (like a paper, let's say) if you're doing something productive (like knitting a sock, maybe). My other favorite way to procrastinate now is to sleep. I call it 'self care.' Us psychological-mental health people can rationalize anything.

So, now I have a sort of but not really matching pair of Opal Socks.

You can kind of make out the differences... um, besides the obvious difference in length of the leg. The sock that has the white/purple toe (they look like little purple tulips to me) was done toe up. The longer sock was done cuff down (I cast on while I was out and about and didn't have my "how to cast on for a toe up sock" instructions.

Having knit two pairs of socks this way (one toe up, one cuff down), here are my conclusions. I love that i can end the sock almost anytime after turning the heel when knitting toe up. I DON'T like binding off the cuff on the toe up sock, b/c I"m a tight tight knitter and even if I use 'stretchy' bind offs and larger needles, it's not as stretchy as the cuff down cuffs.... For the cuff down socks, I love the seemingly more 'finished/polished' cuff, but hate grafting the toe. I also don't like how I can't estimate how much sock I can knit before I run out of yarn. (Ok, honesty forces me to admit that I never really worry about running out of yarn. I have a small foot, US6.5. I'm just impatient, OK?

Other fun purchases, made at Windsor Button in the Downtown Crossing area of Boston:

I couldn't choose between these two Rowan Classic books, so I bought them both. There are tons of sweater patterns I love in the left book, and see that scarf? LOVE IT.
These sock patterns are a Fiber Trend pattern. I don't know how well you can see them... but they're PURTY. And maybe will force me to make some matching socks?

On the left: my latest acquisition of Cherry Tree Hill supersock. You know that all their colors are kind of limited editions, so when I see one I like, I snap it up b/c it really might never be available again.

On the right, a pic of the blanket from one of the books I bought above.

Now I have to struggle with what skein of sock yarn to use next. Maybe I chose the company first. Koigu? Cherry Tree Hill? STR? Lorna's?
So far, I've used Meilenweit, Opal, Trekking, Cherry Tree Hill, and Interlacements. But I bet I'll end up using the Fiber Trends pattern to make me some cute sandal socks...

I probably won't be blogging for another 2 weeks. I have humongo ginormous papers due in the next 1.5 weeks (90 pages worth) and someone needs to get cracking. This past week, I was at school for an average of 10 hrs per day (not including today). I think when you're at school until 11pm at night (and you've been there since 10am that morning) something in your life is whacked and you should have to check yourself into a mental institution. Or a spa. Right now, I would probably find either one of those pretty relaxing.

You won't believe...

2007-04-22T18:41:00.000-06:00

I called my brother a couple times this weekend to gloat about my 'find' in Boston this past weekend. An authentic Taiwanese brunch place! He didn't answer when I called him, but he called me back tonight. Not to ask what I had called HIM about... his opening line was

"you won't believe what Dad did..."

wanna bet? Remember this? I guess my dad has perfected his "my children are really busy RIGHT NOW and it would be the PERFECT time to call repeatedly" timing, because that's exactly what he did. He called my brother seven or eight times on Saturday while my brother was trying to finish his take home final for his... um. Some class in his MBA program.

Anyway, I've been MEANING to blog. I really have. I can't even think up all the reasons why I haven't been blogging. Feeling blue, feeling exhausted/overwhelmed, traveling, visiting friends... those are all some of the reasons. Let's play catch up, shall we?

1) I went out to CO to spend time with Stacey, her family, some other friends, and of course, my little red headed monster (LRHM).

The pic on top is the view from the balcony of the house I stayed at in Edwards, CO. The bottom pic is the LRHM... he's obviously quite unhappy with me, b/c I forced him to model the Robin Hood Jacket for me. Too big, but I love the color on him. It'll look great next Fall.

2) Knitting project update: I have some FO's! How unfortunate that the pair of socks that I finished don't match.

That's one finished clessidra from Knitty (love love love the pattern still), so I'll have to order another ball of the sock yarn from Webs. The second sock I started... a long time ago. I've finished the first, and have cast on for the second. I'm almost ready to turn the heel. Decided it was time to let the sock yarn do the work and it's a plain stockinette.

I've also got some mitered squares, using Harry Potter colors, but I'm running out of my allotted blogging time. School is over in about 2.5 weeks, and I'm really excited/dreading it. Dreading all the work I know I'll have to do in the next few weeks, the sleepless nights... but so looking forward to being FREE.

Clessidra

2007-03-18T12:28:00.000-06:00

I really liked the look of this pattern as soon as the new Knitty issue went online, but I thought to myself...

"self, it's a mighty purty pattern, but you already have two other socks on the needles , what makes you think you'll knit on a third pair? Much less a pair that's for KNEE highs? Are you completely INSANE?"

to which I thought... "yes. yes I am completely insane. I want to make them. NOW."

Unfortunately, I never ever thought I would be knitting knee high socks, so I don't have enough sock yarn for a pair. I thought, "good, then it gives me a great excuse as to why I only knit ONE."

In reality, if I love the pattern and am not totally sick of it about halfway through the first one, I'll buy another ball of this yarn at Webs, which is where I bought the yarn in the first place.

Yep. I've been knitting almost non stop on this pattern since Friday night. A few hours here and there for cleaning the apartment, grocery shopping, and homework, but other than that... obsessed.

I made some changes to the pattern, to accommodate my large calves.

I cast on 16 extra stitches (for 92 sts instead of 76) and after the 1.5 inches of ribbing, I did the following increase row as follows

instead of

Next Round: K2, [p2, m1, k2, m1] 4 times, p2, [k2, m1, p2, m1] 5 times, k2, [p2, m1, k2, m1] 4 times, p2, [k2, m1, p2, m1] 4 times. 110 sts.

I did:
Next Round: K2, [p2, m1, k2, m1] 4 times, p2, k2, p2 [k2, m1, p2, m1] 5 times, k2, p2, k2 [p2, m1, k2, m1] 4 times, p2, k2, p2 [k2, m1, p2, m1] 4 times, k2, p2. 110 sts.

I ignored the directions for how to arrange my stitches on the needles, b/c I didn't have the brain energy to figure it out. I just followed the directions and arranged them as I went. Just like the pattern, says, instead of k11 on the sides of the sock, I am knitting k19.

Then, when I got to the leg decrease section instead of
Leg Decrease Round 1: K5, k2tog, k4, work in pattern to last marker on Needle 3, k4, k2tog, k5; work in pattern to end. 108 sts.

I knit:
Leg Decrease Round 1: K9, k2tog, k8, work in pattern to last marker on Needle 3, k8, k2tog, k9; work in pattern to end. 124 sts.

"patience and fortitude...

2007-03-11T20:15:00.000-06:00

conquer all things?" Who does Ralph Waldo Emerson think he is anyway? Some great thinker or something?

I've blocked the front and back, plus one sleeve of Kolsva. Why one sleeve? Because I only knit one sleeve so far. I knit the first 20 rows about 3 times, b/c I felt like the sleeves were BIG. Then, I noticed that on the pattern picture, she's only got 3/4 sleeves. DURH. I don't want 3/4 sleeves. I want regular sleeves and a regular sweater please. So, I increased 2 stitches (one stitch at each side) every 14 rows, 3x. then every 8 rows, 2x. Then I followed directions for the sleeve cap. Well, when I finally measured the sleeve, it seemed maybe too long. So, I decided to block and seam up the front, back, and one sleeve to make sure the sleeve length was correct before I knit up sleeve #2.

This Kochoran yarn takes FOREVER to dry. It's been 24 hrs, and the pieces still aren't dry. I had hoped to have a one sleeved sweater to show for my spring break knitting.

classic elite

2007-03-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

I got to sleep in today, and then met up with Cristina to visit Classic Elite's Warehouse and maybe a few other LYS. Well, I was way too optimistic about the driving and not getting lost. We spent a ridiculous amt of time looking for the warehouse (see her blog for pics of the warehouse door). They do not make it easy folks. Not easy at all.

Inside, I managed to do some retail therapy to make myself feel better.

Really, I should be ashamed. My knitting has slowed down considerably, and I'm sure I have enough stash to last me through the completion of this program (that's at least another 5 years), and yet, I continue to amass more yarn.
What you see is Lace Style (yes yes, I know, you're surprised I didn't have it already, me too!), some brown alpaca tweed (I bought enough to make Central Park Hoodie), and some Lush (cotton/tencel?).

EDIT: OOPS OOPS MY BAD! I didn't get lush, i got Premiere. I got the ingredients of the yarn right though, that counts for something, right?

The alpaca tweed was $4/skein, and the Lush was $3.50/skein. I mean, really. It would have been criminal to pass that up. I may have been swayed to purchase the alpaca tweed b/c of how freaking frigid it has been up here in Boston. I am currently encased in fleece pants (thanks Nachaele!), socks (which I hardly ever wear), a tank top, t-shirt, and sweatshirt. A blanket on top of me, and I'm still cold.

In any case, after our indulgence at CE, we decided to grab lunch (we found a vietnamese pho restaurant by chance) and it was just what I wanted and needed on a day like today. Cristina needed to work, so we had to part ways. I love when friends stop by and I have time to visit with them!!!

Kolsva pics. As promised.

2007-03-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

So close. Yet SO FAR. I need to do both sleeves, which I anticipate will take me a few tries. Probably b/c I'm a stubborn cuss and will be knitting one sleeve with the remnants of a couple of balls but will end up ripping it out b/c it won't match the other sleeve. Eh.

I'm using US 10.5s. I've used about 3.5 skeins so far of the Noro Kochoron color 10. I've added 2 inches to the length (BEFORE SHAPING) on the front and back. I picked up 112 stitches instead of 110 so that I could get an even k2, p2 rib along the cowl (total stitches were 136). I knit for 6 inches on the cowl, then did a three needle bind off (instead of binding off, then joining to the inside). I'll take a more detailed pic next time, but I think that this is the very first project that involves picking up of stitches (besides felting projects) that I'm happy with my picked up stitches. Never you mind that I had to pick up, rip out, pick up, rip out, pick up, rip out, and pick up in order to be happy. OCD much?

Hmm. I think I also made a modification on the front of the sweater... Oh yes. Though I added 2 inches to the length before shaping, I started the neck shaping at 12 inches as indicated by the pattern and did the shaping at the same time (which results in a deeper neckline). I did this modification b/c when my friends made this sweater, it seemed like the neckline was a lot higher than the pic on the pattern.

(now... wasn't that more detail than you wanted?)

Tomorrow: pics of Classic Elite's warehouse (if they'll let me), Wild and Woolly in Lexington, and any stash enhancing that I reward myself with for being such a dedicated student. (cough cough)

Fat Cat

2007-03-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

So, Danger kitty is at the vet, undergoing an ultrasound to determine whether he needs an endoscopy. He's lost a lot of weight recently, and I'm one worried mama. I made them weigh him when I dropped him off, and he's gained a bit back in the last month or so (about 1/2 lb), so I'm glad of that. I think I have a picky picky eater. I have bought, in the last couple of months, about 6 different brands of dry cat food. Out of sheer desperation, I bought some IAMS, which he used to eat (from birth til he was about 10 or so). He's been gobbling it up, so Iams it will be. (the vet just called and said nothing showed up on the ultrasound, I'm not going to do the endoscopy b/c it's an invasive procedure, and after Xrays, bloodwork, poopwork etc etc, you just start feeling like you're a Munchausen mommy). I've got one very very fat cat, and one cat who's now on the skinny side of normal. I think the twice a day wet food feedings are going to stop, but the never ending buffet is too convenient to change.

I've finished the cowl neck of Kolsva, and am going to cast on the sleeves tonight. I'm a bit dilemmafied b/c I'm not sure if I should use remnants of 2 balls of Noro Transitions (left over from the body pieces and the cowl) or to wind up the last two skeins and knit them at the same time to ATTEMPT matchy matchy sleeves.) I know I've promised pics FOR-E-VA. Tonight, I swear. The camera's charged, I'm on spring break, I've got no excuse. Maybe I should define spring break, in case you all think I'm just sitting here eating bon-bons watching my 'stories.' (aka soap operas). On 'break' means I get a chance to do schoolwork that I don't have time to do during the normal schoolweek. So far, I'm doing the assignments due for next week, then I've got lots of big projects to work on... which total about 90 pages of written work by the end of the semester (three big projects, about 30 pgs each). Oh... where did I go? So, the plan for this week was to work on schoolwork during the day, and do whatever I want at night (last night, I went to go see a MOVIE!!! at the THEATRE!!! I saw Notes on a Scandal with Dame Judi Dench! Terrific movie, acting was superb). Came home, watched American Idol and went to bed. I live a glamourous life, no?

AIEEE! I almost forgot the entire point of the post today. Cristina is coming to Bean Town, so we've got plans, baby! I want to go to breakfast then hit the shops! First up would be the Classic Elite warehouse. They had me concerned b/c the website says they don't sell to individuals, but when you call, they tell you that they have a shop with discontinued and seconds. Whew! She needs to be somewhere by early/mid afternoon, but I'm sure we'll do some damage.

with friends like these....

2007-02-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

I'm sure all of you think you have great friends. I feel very bad having to do this, but um, you lose. I am absolutely, positively, eleventy billion percent sure that I have the BESTEST of friends.

Over the last three weeks, I've been fairly non-existent. School, sleep. Those were just about the only two domains of my life. This week, I had to prepare an hour long power point presentation on conduct disorder (otherwise known as very difficult teenager disorder), a 10 page paper on the same topic, and a two hour long power point presentation on cognitive behavioral therapy. Wheee! What fun, right? I've had quite a few sleepless nights and many long days.

On top of all that, one of my furbabies has been pretending to be anorexic lately. He's lost a lot of weight and is too skinny... so when I have a moment to breathe, we've been schlepping to the vet. Did you know they have vet specialists? It'd be kinda funny to watch me chasing after him with bowls of food (wet and dry) if I wasn't so worried about him.

I've never been so happy for a Wednesday in my life as I was this week (I'm on 'break' now... which means a week of no classes during which I can catch up with all the schoolwork and stuff I've neglected.)

What did I see when I got home from my long day? (I'm at school from 9am til 7pm Monday through Wednesdays).

Sheep mail!!
Stacey, Tiffany and Carmen, and Michelle sent me a care package!!! I love getting sheep mail, b/c Stacey always takes the time to make the box very distinctive and cute. The cute sheep (so that I know it's from sheep in the city)

Then the cute little icons of them... I especially like how she felt she needed to put their names under them... like I couldn't figure out who was who? :) -- oh! you know what I just noticed (shame shame). I just noticed that Michelle doesn't have her glasses on... b/c she got her eyes fixed!

What was inside? Two lovely skeins of some new yarn at the shop, which is very soft and in BEAUTIFUL colors. They knew I had lost my so called scarf during my last trip to NYC, and got me this yarn as replacement!!

Aren't these CUTE?? I don't use straights that often, but I do on occasion. And I don't have US10s... so, these'll work in a pinch! I'm not really sure I want my cats to love my knitting... but the needles sure are adorable.

the rest of the package included my favorite Lexie Barnes pattern (little Miss Perfect) zipper bag, another pair of needles (US11s), a couple bags of my favorite Easter candy (the Cadbury mini eggs), and a bunch of homemade M&M cookies (thanks Carmen!!!)

Umm... maybe the cookies are not pictured because there are far fewer cookies now than when I unpacked. And maybe someone didn't want photographic evidence of how quickly someone might've scarfed down some cookies. Maybe.

A second box at my door was chock full of books (I can imagine no better vacation than to snuggle in my bed for a week, with a pile of books) from another friend. I can't wait to dig into the books and knit up a new 'my so called scarf'!!

And, when it rains, it pours, b/c my friend from NYC is coming up this weekend for a visit! We're gonna shop and eat and hang out and gab and shop and gab some more.

Happiness truly is.... great friends. No one could want for better friends than the ones I've got (b/c I'm also expecting a care package from the mom of the LRHM... containing Thin Mints). The only thing I could really wish for is that they lived closer!

Ok. Will update on some KNITTING content tomorrow. Front and back of Kolsva!

Postponing the posts

2007-02-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of posts composed in my head, but not the time, energy, or commitment to bring them to life right now. I do want to share a couple things with you...

A new blog that I found... and if your sense of humor tends to run towards this type, then you'll probably enjoy it. Anyone who knows me in real life (and likes me) should find it funny too...

Overheard in New York is a blog that posts some random funny stuff. I almost peed my pants when I read the "favorite quotes" section (see link/button on left side of blog).

In an awwwwwwwwwwwwww moment, my LRHM (little red headed monster) sent me a card today. (well, he sent it last week, but I got it today). Inside, he had written his name (well, half of it, and then asked his mom to finish) and drawn his first self portait. I like that he chose the color red to represent himself. I guess he independently asked to write me a card when a friend of his mom's asked to take him to OUR restaurant (sweet tomatoes). I think the LRHM felt guilty that he went and enjoyed it without me. See? Being the auntie really has many upsides, very few downsides.

Ok. I'll be back in a week or so. I have HUMONGO projects due in the next week for school, so I'm gonna go bury my head in the snow.

House Elves...

2007-02-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

I spent most of my weekend at a retreat... where a group of 10 of us re-drafted and re-worked the 'constitution' of a student organizational body. Sounds fun, eh? Joining the student organization has given me a good way to get to know some of the ins and outs of grad student life here at my university. The organization and school paid for us to go to this retreat center tucked away in the burbs of Boston.
It's nice to hear that most of you don't think I'm crazy. But here's another log to throw on the fire. Though this was a draining and grueling process, I kind of enjoyed a reason to NOT have to be making up excuses as to why I wasn't doing homework. I was productive, it was school related, but not for class. It was refreshing.

Anyway, I've never gone to a place like this... we arrived in time for dinner on Friday night. Where we were served duck and CRAB. CRAB! Mmmmm. And the dessert table. Let's not mention that someone had carrot cake AND raspberry choc. torte. The bunch of us settled into our cabins, then reconvened in our conference room. The conference room includes a snack room. Which was magically stocked with chips, pretzels, chocolate, sodas, juices, coffee and tea.

When we adjourned for the night, some of us spent time getting to know each other. So many of these grad students have lived such interesting lives! I was mostly talking with the 'well traveled' bunch, and listening to their favorite places they'd gone (like Rome. Beijing. Nanjing. Turkey. Budapest. countries that I didn't even know existed). While they talked, I was knitting. On Kolsva. The funniest thing? These people... all in school for a master's or PhD... gasp and say "wow! what are you making?" "are you KNITTING?" "wow!" "wow! I could never knit!"

C'mon folks. Some of them can make an atomic bomb, but they think they can't knit? I was greatly amused.

Ok. time for bed. The week starts all over again tomorrow. I hate that.

ps. no pics b/c the batteries are dead. oops.

Reasons I'm Crazy # ... crap. I lost count.

2007-02-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Lately, I feel as if I'm walking around with an extra large jar of butterflies in my stomach. Why? Some of it is because I still feel as if I am in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place. Nothing seems settled. I don't know for sure where I'll live next year (though I have a lead), I don't really know exactly where I'll be doing for my training next year (I take far fewer classes, and do a clinical experience next year), and the thought of having 6 final projects at the end of this semester?? All of that craziness adds up to me feeling like a nutjob. Not just peanutty nutty. A nutjob nuttiness level that can only be obtained by a large assortment of nuts.

Even the listmaking doesn't help. I love a good list. I used to take my love of lists a bit too far. I had a list of things to do for school, a list of things to do for work, and a list of things to do for life. At one point, I think I had a list of my lists (um, you are all now seeing why I am crazy). But, I stopped making lists of lists and now just have one mambo jambo list. The list doesn't ever go away. Ever. It just kind of grows and my GOAL is to limit its rate of growth. For the last few weeks, I've been avoiding my list, because it overwhelms me. Classes, class assignments, school related assignments (for which I don't get credit or grades, but is required), research assignments, .... augh.

The straw that's breaking my back is the interview process. I didn't know I had to continue interviewing AFTER I got into a doctoral program! Wasn't THAT process grueling enough? Oh no. Now, I have to find training sites that will give me clinical hours (contact hours with clients who want psychotherapy), send out applications (including transcripts, cover letters, recommendation letters, and resume), and wait for interview invitations. THEN, you have to INTERVIEW. THEN, you have to wait for an offer. But what if the first offer isn't the offer you want?

I feel like this post could qualify for the "day in the life of" contest that Elisa is having, but I can't very well whip out a camera and ask my maybe future supervisor if I can take a picture to blog about my life during an interview.

Next post: I promise, pics of Noro Kolsva. I have the front finished and am reworking the back (I ripped it out and am reknitting so that the shaping actually follows MY shaping... sort of).

Note to future Kolsva knitters: if you want to make it longer, knit plain for 6-8 inches before starting the decreases. I started after 4.5 inches, and am having to knit plain for about4 inches before I start the armhole shaping. I still think the waist shaping is too low for me, but I'm not ripping it again. I'll edit this comment after I finish and try it on.

Limited Resources: Please help.

2007-02-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

You'd think I could figure this out by myself, but I can't. I'm stuck. I recently cast on for the Noro Kolsva (aka Cowl), and after getting a few tips from Jeni and Michelle, I knew that I wanted to make the sweater a bit longer than what the pattern suggests. I happily cast on with my Kochoron (color #10...mostly grey with bits of lime and denim color thrown in... I love it!) and knit up the back. (it's knit bottom up)

As I cast on for the front, it hits me. Snap. I didn't really consider how and where I added extra length when I knit up the back! I followed the shaping directions, then added a couple inches to the garment by knitting longer. (Basically, you decrease a bit over the first 20 rows, knit plain for a few inches, then increase again over 20 rows. Then knit plain until garment reaches armholes).

I wish I knew how to add in some graphics. As I started knitting the front of the sweater though, I thought... hmmm. Maybe I should have knit plain for longer at the bottom, THEN done the shaping. Does that make sense? What do you all think? Should I knit the front the way I THINK it should be knit and redo the back? or should I just keep going?

Please help this poor student who has no brain cells left over to rub together to figure out her knitting.

Triple X

2007-02-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

I've got a lot to say about knitting today! I found the secret trick is to not post in forever about any knitting, then it seems like I've been productive when I finally have some stuff. I've even got the official stamp of approval

In order of finishing:

1) the wimple: I used this pattern which was the most appealing IMMEDIATELY accessible pattern I could find. I wanted to try the flared lace smoke ring that has been talked about, but the pattern can't be downloaded. Bummer. If I was interested enough, I'd shop around for a different bind off to make it stretchier, but it fits over my head, and the cast on side is VERY stretchy. I wanted to use the alpaca for the wimple b/c I wanted something warm, but not bulky surrounding my head. As some people know, I've got a big ol head. Nobody ever believes me until I put a hat on for them, but please trust. I'm Asian. I'm only 5'3. I have a BIG head.

Pattern: Wavy Feathers Wimple
Needles: US6 circs, INOX
Yarn: Lonesome Stone 100% alpaca, River Runs To It, fingering weight, about 300 yds?
Time: 1/26/07-2/2/07 (I finished in one weekend, but the weaving in of ends...)

2) The clapotis: same yarn as the wimple. I fell in love with this color at the shop. even though it's only fingering weight, it's 100% alpaca, so here's my winter weight clapotis.

Pattern: the ubiquitous clapotis by knitty.com and Kate Gilbert
Yarn: lonesome stone 100%alpaca (see above)
Needles: US3s, addi turbos
Time: forever and ever. (11/17/06-2/2/07)
Pattern changes: I added 2 increase sections and countless straight sections. Obviously, i had to do more decrease sections as well.

3)The Robin Hood Jacket!! Yay!! I'm SO excited about this one b/c it is freakin' adorable as all get out.

Pattern: Robin Hood Jacket in Zoe Mellor's Adorable Knits for Tots
Yarn: DB merino chunky (about 13-14 balls) Yarn originally for me, but chunky on chunky is not flattering. I love the color and it'll look smashing on LRHM (little red headed monster).
Size: Biggest one written... (4 yo?)
Time: Forever and ever. I have no idea when I cast on. It's a super quick knit though. I knit most of it in October and November 2006.
Needles: US10.5 and US11s, addi turbos.
(note: never ever use DB yarn again. All those freakin ends!)

It's VERY satisfying to have all of these done. I have one more NEED TO FINISH ASAP knit, but that became less urgent when the Bookish Baby decided to arrive the day before the baby shower. If you didn't already know, go welcome the Bookish Baby to the Bookish Family!!

In the blink of an eye...

2007-01-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

before you know it, you've been blogging for TWO years. Knitting for 2.5
How much can change in two years? I've made lovely, wonderful friends through the blog world. I've created lasting relationships with people that I've met in person (you know, I started to list them, but there are too many), those that I've met via blogworld, and the awesome relationship I've developed with yarn. The last relationship is probably the only one that isn't all together healthy, but we can't all be perfect.

I've tackled lace, cables, fair isle, and dropped stitches. I'm still battling the UFOs and WIPs, but I don't see any resolution for those battles anytime soon. I've gone from a master's program to a PhD program, from Denver to Boston (oh, I guess I should change that in the sidebar, huh?). In other words, blogging and knitting have enriched my world... in so many terrific ways.

Ok. Enough sap.

SOMEONE wanted a picture of my new chart for Starsky. I had found all those slashes and symbols too confusing, so I rewrote it to look like this:

Since I also have short term memory issues... I included the key:

That's it for now folks. I worked on Robin Hood last night (i attached the sleeve, sewed up the second side seam) but need to still sew up the sleeve and weave in about 10 more ends... and decide if it needs a tassel. To tassel or not to tassel?

I've got one more gift knit, then I get to just knit for myself for a bit!

Neener neener neener

2007-01-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me personally, this next statement will shock you.

I can be a bit insufferable when I'm proven right about something... and I like to gloat. I'm highly competitive, and I freely admit that I am both a sore loser AND a sore winner. I like winning. I'm not that ashamed to admit that I really enjoy it. That feeling of being right.

The funny thing is that I really dislike the characteristic of righteousness. We can analyze that one later (though i guess it's pretty simple... we dislike in others what we dislike in ourselves.... How's that for a 2 bit psychologist?)

Why do I bring this up? One of my closest college friends has readily admitted for quite some time now (we've known each other for 13 yrs now...) that I'm inevitably usually right. Though we still debate some things (things that can't be right or wrong), we very rarely debate about things in which I can be proven right.

Over the last couple weeks, we've wondered who got Netflix first. She was convinced that she had been the one to tell ME about Netflix. Now, folks, I have a crappy ass short term memory (actually, it's my working memory that's piss-poor, but whatever). but my long term memory is like an elephant's. Rock solid. I remember EXACTLY how I became a Netflix fan, and who invited me to join. I've been a member for so long, that my membership dues are at a special rate.

So, when I opened up my email today and saw subject line "who wins now?"

I was not surprised to see the message

"

Of course you do. I joined Netflix January 2004.

How did you have it 2 years b4 me?!?! Oh, I remember – I had been with cable (stolen, but whatever) and you were without. "

So. neener neener neener.

(no one wants to be my friend anymore, do they?)

Finished pic of clapotis

2007-01-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

Please ignore that end there... it's still there, and it'll stay there. I am sorely dilemmafied by the state of affairs here. Though the yarn label said to knit on 5s, I almost broke my wrists trying. I had to move up to US8s to get a good tension. So... by the time I finished the increase section, this mutha was WIDE. Fearlessly, I knitted on. I had 650 yds (2 skeins) of the yarn, and according to the pattern... enough. Get up to the decrease section, and I begin to have those tinglies in my tummy. Gentle reader, you know of which tummy timglies I speak. Your fingers then join in, going, "uh oh... the yarn looks like it's gonna run out."

True enough, as soon as I began the decrease section, I knew I was doomed. DOOMED. I consulted with a few ppl about what to do.... rip back and take out a few repeats of straight section and have it be shorter? Rip it all the way back to the increase section, take out a couple, and have it be a narrower/longer scarf. I much preferred option b, but I was told to go with option A. Since it's for the shop, I went with the shop owner's directive. I ripped back at least 2 straight sections, and I STILL ran out of yarn. Crappity crap. I hate it. If I could pull a Mrs. Weasley and have magic knit this mutha for me, I'd rip it back. I hate that I had to finish out in lamb's pride (the only worsted weight yarn I had that matched).

Anyway, I loved working with the yarn. Springy. Quick to knit up. But, I'm unhappy with the FO b/c it's for display at the shop and I'd have liked it to look more professional. (i know, waaah waaah waaah. that's me. pity party pity party).

Who can I pay...

2007-01-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

to do this crap for me? I hate seaming. I hate weaving in ends. The details kill me, b/c you spend SO much time doing these things, and they aren't really appreciated or noticed (unless they're done badly). Kind of like how I don't mind washing pots, pans, plates, glasses... but I hate washing forks and spoons.

However, I did manage to totally finish (um, er, well. with the exception of washing/blocking) a baby project, and the clapotis for the shop. I took pics of both, and will show the clapotis, but not the baby project. Not until it's been gifted.

Three more projects that are in the immediate future to finish
1) my winter weight clapotis. I need it. I want it. it's freezing here in boston. I need the alpaca please!

2) baby project #2. It needs an appendage (sleeve/leg) and many ends to weave. The many ends may be the end of me.

3) Robin Hood Jacket. sew on sleeve, sew up seams. I've woven in about 95% of the ends.

Did you all watch the football games today? I yawned through (why didn't I take a nap?) during the Bears vs Saints, but O.M.G.!!! The Patriots vs Colts game was all that a game should be when two terrific teams are playing for a spot in the championship game. It was SO good that I wasn't even upset that a fellow Wolverine lost. It helps that there are two Wolverines on the Colts team. Can I sue the NFL if I get in trouble tomorrow in class for not having anything to say?

ps. I declare a universal moratorium on any type of activity in which the reproduction of humans may occur. At least amongst ppl who are close enough to me that I feel excited enough for you that I begin to plan knitted gifts for your baby (did you follow that?). Seriously.

pps. please leave comments on cute baby hats/booties patterns that you recommend. Quick, easy, but CUTE are the requirements please.

Promised picture!

2007-01-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

First, a mini rant.
Stupid Sony! To save time, I was just going to download the imaging software from their website... oh no. They don't have it available. In fact, if I really had lost the disc/software, I would've had to PAY to get another copy. That's BS, if you ask me.

But I looked (and looked) and where was it? Where it should've been. When I moved, I had put the software I knew I would need for the new laptop into an expanding folder (which also held other important info like my birth certificate, the medical records for the cats, my new lease, info about the new school, etc). Was it there? No. Because I had taken it out and uploaded it to the new laptop (the now stolen laptop). So... the question was... where did I put it after I used it? It was in the main filing cabinet under "computer software." Sure, sounds obvious to all of you, but you all don't know how much I avoid filing. (b/c someone gets a wee bit obsessive compulsive when she files, so it takes hours. HOURS!!!)
There. Happy? I've got about 4 repeats done on the back of Starsky, which I love knitting (but it is NOT a mindless knit). I redid the chart from knitty, b/c those backslashes and the little symbols were too confusing for little old me. It's a beautiful knit, made more beautiful by the soft hand of Malabrigo and this gorgeous colorway (azul profundo). This same color is what Michelle is making her Wicked out of... coninky dink? Nope. We made the trade (in which I got three skeins of lovely Olive) when we went on the first malabrigo binge. I'm scared. Scared that this yarn might ruin me for all other yarns.

here's a pic of the clapotis for the store. Which, did you hear that there's a sale this weekend?

I'm on the decrease section, and biting my nails that I've got enough yarn to finish. If I had a magic wand, I would redo the whole thing and make it narrower (the thing is a beast) and longer.

That's it for now. Classes have started and I need to haul my butt over to the library to go kill a couple thousand trees. Even though most of my classes have a textbook, I have to print out journal articles too. About eleventy seven million of them.

Interrupted

2007-01-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

Never say that I don't plan ahead. Today, I worked furiously on the clapotis for the store, and am almost finished. I wanted to do an FO report AND show off the humble beginnings of Starsky tonight, but I have to deal with some life issues. I know I'll have time to post pics tomorrow.

AUGH. I can't find the disc with all the software for my camera. I went a hunting on the Sony
web site, but it's not the friendliest/easiest to use. So, after I hunt for the disc, i'll post. I'll devote all day tomorrow (after I finish with school responsibilities). I swear. Signed and sealed in blood! (that i'll look, not that i'll have pics)

Houston, we have lift off!!

2007-01-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

I've got a laptop again! And my brother bought me (for my b-day/Xmas gift) a new iPod, so I'm all recovered from my break in (for the most part). I can't wait to get the computer all configured so I can show you all some pictures (I don't even remember what I owe you in pictures).

I'm most excited to show you my newest project ... Starsky using my malabrigo in Azul Profundo. You know how Linus (from Peanuts) is so attached to his blue blankie? That'd be me with the malabrigo. This yarn has the. most. incredible. feel. In a convo with Celia, she told me that she thought the malabrigo was kind of... scratchy. She must've gotten a bad bad skein. Maybe a skein of Rio de la Plata masquerading as Malabrigo.

I know. I wasn't supposed to cast on for Starsky or Noro Kolsva until I had finished up

1) Robin Hood (need to finish seaming and weaving in ends. maybe make a tassel/pom pom)
2) clapotis for the shop. I had a small tragedy. I ran out of yarn. So, I can either rip back a bit and make the clap a bit shorter, or rip WAY back and make it narrower (which... if it were for me, I would want).
3) clapotis for me (almost there!... almost)
4 and 5) baby gift knits. (both are 90% done).

Maybe I dedicate this weekend to finishing. Maybe.

I've moved to the 'new' blogger, and I like it! I love labelling, though I think I might be getting to specific with my labels. We shall see.

It's chilly chilly brr brr here. School has started back up, so I'm training myself for living off very little amts of sleep.

Setting a new standard

2007-01-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

I'd apologize for the lack of pictures and posting, but honestly, it's not going to change anytime soon. I have no idea when the new laptop will be arriving, and the camera is dead.

I hope everyone is enjoying the New Year. I hope that 2007 is a relatively calm and peaceful one for me, as I had enough life changes in 2006. My new year's resolutions... nothing too fantastical, but difficult nonetheless. I want to have a better attitude about being in Boston. I want to knit more... and use stash more... and finish more (oops... I said that the resolutions weren't fantastical, didn't i?). The plan is to knit at least one project from stash before I'm allowed to buy yarn for another project. Seeing as I have a healthy project list that I"m excited about...

1) Noro Kolsva using Noro Kochoron
2) Noro Klaralund using Kuryeon in color #32? #34? (the purple and green one)
3) Starsky using Malabrigo in Azul Profundo
4) Hourglass using Cash Iroha
5) the Touch Me scarf from Scarfstyle
6) a sweater using Rowan Calmer
7) socks (using cherry tree hill and STR)

My hope is that I can either slow the growth of my stash or keep it at the same weight (I'll consider it successful if I've either maintained or lost yardage).

The biggest goal I have for myself is to be a better student. I was NOT a great student in undergrad. Going to classes that I wasn't interested in was not my strong suit. In my master's program, I went to almost all my classes (I think I skipped maybe 2 classes the entire 3 yrs), and did at least... um... 50-60% of the readings assigned. I'm hoping that for this doctoral program, that I continue to improve on my academic studies by being a more thorough student.

Oh. Hey. Wow. I just realized how apt the title of this post is for this post. I didn't intend for my title to really relate to New Year's resolutions, but I guess it does, huh?

The title actually refers to my secret trip that I just got back from. Tiffany needed help at the store while her mom went to go visit her brother's family. So... she flew me out to Denver so I could help at the store AND see my friends. I can't decide if she's got the best customer service EVER, or if I just made the longest commute for someone who works at an LYS. We managed to keep the trip a secret from everyone, including Michelle, Stacey, and Jeni. We all got together for drinks and snacks on Saturday night, and I got to hang out with most all my Denver knitting grrlz! It was so much fun to be able to spend time and knit with Wanda, Kim, Joanne and Nachaele.

I'm busily knitting away on clapotis redux x2 (one for the shop, one for me) and some baby gifts. Two more friends have announced that they're expecting. I'm thinking baby booties and hats.

The biggest news? Guess who had her bambino!!! Celia had her baby on 1/2/2007. She's already posted about it, so go congratulate her! (she even posted a pic of the baby!)

On why Santa is a saint...

2006-12-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting folks! I wish I could show you the pics. I guess i COULD, but that requires work (putting cd into puter and letting puter figure it out) that I"m just too lazy to do today.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their holidays... I had dinner with my friends from Philly (they were spending the weekend at the Cape), then I took the train down to NYC on Friday. We had breakfast at City Bakery (which was on an episode of Sex and the City, supposedly), and then hiked up to a northern suburb of NYC. We spent the ENTIRE time either cooking and cleaning up, or eating. It was a jolly good time. With six adults and 2 small children, it was a small gathering, but we managed to be a very loud group, nonetheless. So loud, that when we got back to the city, it felt quiet.

I came back to Boston on Tuesday evening, and am headed out to MI for the New Year. All of this traveling gives me the idea that Santy truly is a saint... or, instead of a sleigh and reindeer, he must have the whole space time continuum thing figured out and he can zap himself here and there and everywhere.

to the Boston knitters/bloggers... anyone up for a field trip? I wanna go visit Classic Elite before my break is over!

Just when you think...

2006-12-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

you're starting to give a place a chance...
I survived my finals. Even though I remembered later that I had forgotten to add something to at least one final, I survived. On Saturday, Maryse, Adrian and I met up for breakfast, then the Bizarre Bazaar. I remember thinking some fond thoughts of Boston as I took the T into Coolidge Corner,... along the lines of "hey, I really enjoy this public transportation thing!" and some thoughts of "wow, ok, the buildings are old with bugs and mice, but they sure are pretty from the outside" (for the most part). I had a terrific time with the girls, and am especially glad we made it to the BB early, b/c when we left, there was a LOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG line... and I don't do so well waiting. you know.

We headed down to Newbury street for some window shopping. I saw some sweaters that I wanted to buy, but could probably knit. We even enjoyed some crusty bread and drinks at Bertucci's. Then I joined some classmates at a holiday party, and had fun kicking ass at Scrabble (I'm a wee bit competitive and my 8 yr old partner and I made an 108 pt word, which included the 50pt bonus!... on 2 glasses of wine, no less!!!... ok. i was a wee bit impressed with myself, and thus begins the story of hubris).

On Sunday, I joined the lovely Wendy, and her family (DH and 4 furbabies), and friends for a day of relaxation. She gifted me with some b-day love (which I took pics of, but can't show you). I'm thinking, for barely knowing anyone, a girl can sure fill up her dance card pretty fast around here.

I came home a bit late... and found that someone has broken into my apartment. Stolen the laptop, the ipod, and a few other items of value. Guess what idiot doesn't have renter's insurance?

and so we're back to "Boston Bites"

ps. pics probably won't show up for awhile... not until someone gets a replacement laptop. :(

on why extensions are a good thing

2006-12-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Extensions on my taxes, extensions on my assignments.... good things.

The best thing? An extension of my birthday celebration!!! Lookee what the postman (quickly becoming my FAVORITE person in Boston) brought me today!

Of course, I knew a box was winging it's way from Denver, b/c a little sheepie told me so. But this is a big old box. Who else, besides a knitter, gets a birthday present in a BROWN SHEEP YARN COMPANY box?

Inside (and i'm sorry I couldn't contain my excitement and take a picture of the box JUST opened, but well...) the box had SO many goodies! it took me over 30 minutes to unwrap it all.

Here's the loot:

You see how SOMEONE thinks that all of this stuff is for him? He's actually mostly concentrating on that bit of ribbon sitting in front of his face. Curling ribbon is his most favorite thing ever, even if he has to hork it up later (sorry). Even if it means incurring the wrath of mommykhan (oh, did I just let loose what a big ST geek I am?)... b/c I definitely smacked him a good one for chewing on my presents.

Let's get some details of the goodies!!
First up, a big tin o cookies, handmade by Tiffany and her mom, Carmen. I immediately had to sample (gingersnaps? ( i think, i don't know names of cookies very well, but i'm an expert in taste.), chocolate and butterscotch/peanut butter cookies, AND these yummy coconut cookie bars). Oh MY.

Touchme touchmetouchmetouchmetouchme. From Stacey, her mom Marsha, Jeni, Michelle, and Tiffany. I can JUST barely manage to not cast on this very second, minute. It's in a beautiful steel-blue-grey which will go with both of my winter coats! I hear tell that there was some concern about color choice, but I always trust Michelle.

Stacey got me these BEEYOOTIFUL ginghers! I have a pair in a a light green, but these are SO much more me! And besides, who doesn't need a few good pairs of sharp scissors?

Joanne sent the awesome Knitting Expereince color book (so fitting... esp since I just joined the Stranded KAL), Michelle got me a copy of Yarn Harlot's latest bookbookbook, and Kim sent the Bug's Life movie (woohoo!!). Big plans this weekend to sit around, knit on the endpaper mitts (after referencing the new colorwork book to see if I'm doing it right), then watch A Bug's Life and cast on for the Touch Me Scarf (from scarf style). And eat cookies. of course.
Last, but not least, what will I be wearing while I do all that? These cute as all get out sheepy pajama pants! I have a thing about pajama pants. I love buying them and wearing them. I think maybe I should call them lounging pants, b/c I actually don't wear them while I'm sleeping (i hate it when stuff bunches up when I twist and turn). ANYWAY! Do you see the cute little sheepies on these? They're from Nachaele!!!

I am so fortunate to have such awesome friends. I feel a little peevish/ungrateful when I wish that I could still be in Denver too, but gifts like these only show you (and me) the tip of the iceberg in how much these people mean to me. I know I've got 5-6 yrs ahead of me in this doctoral program, but I'm already looking forward to moving home when I'm done.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes and presents. I wish I could've celebrated it with all of you!

Stained glass

2006-12-12T00:12:00.000-07:00

I had a fair productive day today! (please ignore the fact that I had to stay up until... 2:13am to have one) Not only have I managed to blog (twice!), i've also done quite a bit of fair work on my finals (on two of them, anyway), managed the lot of my email (there's only 7 unread! not 40 quatrillion), made many return phone calls, AND went to a SnB meetup! Last but not least, I finished chart A of the endpaper mitts.

Isn't she purty? I chose color #4, and I love it so far! the color combos remind me of stained glass. If I had 3 skeins of color #3, I would be tempted to make another pair of these with that color combo.

The SnB meetup was a great getaway from the computer time. I met lovely knitters, had some laughs, and made progress on the mitts and my irish hiking scarf.

I hope I can rip myself away from these mitts for the next few days, b/c I really do need to buckle down and finish up these take home finals. I hate take homes. It means I have to pay attention to detail, and cite references. Which means my bullsh*tting abilities won't be enough.

Sunday Surprises!!!

2006-12-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

So today, I was TOTALLY surprised by the PACKAGES that came on a SUNDAY! From the USPS. I kid you not. Right before I was dashing out the door for my all day long meeting, the mailman rang the door and delivered two packages. One from Amazon.com (um... where I guess maybe I ordered myself a birthday present?) and one from Chris. I won a contest over on her blog on HER birthday, and the prize arrived on MY birthday!! Neat, huh?

Let's see what I got.

I got a skein of STR in the Rainforest Jasper colorway. A tin (a cute tin!) of Sinamints (with our favorite black cat mascot), black pawprinted tape measure (very handy, even though I own 5-6 of these, but can never find one when I need one), and two bars of YUMMILICIOUS dark chocolate. AND two mix CDs!! I can't wait to pop them in and listen, which I'll do a soon as finals are over. I guess I could listen to them now, but I have to concentrate on finals instead of my music (have you noticed how you need to pay more attention to 'new' music?)

The choc. definitely came just in time, seeing as I am not a HUGE lover of choc., and usually only crave it when my friend George comes for his monthly visit. Well, he's visiting now, the inconsiderate wretch! If you look close enough, you'll notice that one bar of chocolate looks a litte... disheveled.

I also treated myself, on my birthday (thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone!), and cast on for the endpaper mitts.

It took me longer to cast on than to knit the cuff and the first repeat of color work. That italian tubular cast on, while ingenious in it's simplicity, is also maddeningly difficult to keep straight (did my right hand go left or right last time? DANG IT!) I love working on it, but i need to set it aside for now, so that i can focus on school. My goal is to make it to the SnB meeting tonight. (b/c now it's monday, b/c it took me a day to take pics and blog)

Paralyzed with Possibilities

2006-12-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

My life in the last three weeks has left much to be desired. I have been quite homesick, as the reality of moving to Boston has begun to set in. I probably could have ridden the wave of "I'm too busy with schoolwork to notice that I have no social life to speak of" if my school life had stayed busy as all get out, but emotionally stable.

Three weeks ago, we had a guest lecturer from a very well respected university. He was eloquent. He was concise. He was SO knowledgeable.

He was also a bigot.

I don't want to go into all the details, but this incident has affected me, and the other students of color, in a profound way over the course of the last three weeks. This past month could be a terrific example of ripple effect. The program, faculty and students alike, are all scrambling to deal with how this incident has impacted on on the personal, class, interpersonal, and program level. It has not been easy for me to focus on schoolwork. I don't really need any comments or inquiries about this in the comment section, b/c I don't really want to explain what happened. Sorry if that's hard for you right now, but I wrote about it for the 'journal' part of blogging, not for the 'share my life with others' part of blogging. That distinction is difficult to make b/c I know other ppl read my blog to see whats going on for me in my life. If it's really driving you insane with curiousity, just email me instead, ok?

let's move on to more important matters. I prefer to think about Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts. Agonizing over which of my beautiful sock yarns I would use on this project... and in two-three weeks of thinking about, looking at, and thinking about my yarns some more, I am no closer to a decision. So, i'll leave it to you.

Here are the choices

Here are the choices, next to my 'background' color.
First up, this one little skein from Rhinebeck (Spirit Trail Fiberworks). It has blues, purples, greens, purples and browns. I like this one b/c it's subtle and variegated, and it's one of. I don't have enough to make a pair of socks out of this, but I love the colors. The cons are that since there is a bit of brown in the skein, it might not 'pop' as much as some of the other yarns I'm considering.

#2: lovely Koigu. I love this colorway, even though the, AHEM, lavendar shade in it borders dangerously close upon being pinkish. The lovely light LAVENDER and green shades look beautiful against the brown. Cons: i have two skeins of this colorway and wouldn't be able to make socks with them.

#3: More Koigu. In bright beautiful aquas/turquoise colors. Pros: i love the color combo of brown and aqua/turquoise. Cons: i bought two skeins of this colorway hoping to make a pair of socks.

#4: My favorite Koigu colorway EVER. I have 4 skeins of this colorway (don't ask) so, don't mind using one up for the endpaper mitts. I love the blues, greens, and bitty bit of purple that runs through this, and I think it looks smashing against the brown.

So. If you're reading, please vote in the comments. I leave the fate of my endpaper mitt color choice to you.

The internets made me do it.

2006-12-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Those of you who have spent time with me, or have seen me at least on three different occasions, may have noticed that I am a bag ho. I love me my pocketbooks, handbags, totes, school bags, and knitting bags. What's so absolutely fabulous for me, is that in making myself a professional student, I have managed to give myself a rational excuse for why I continue to need more and more bags.

Here's a review of my latest (I would say it was impulsive, but it was rather well researched) catch.

Here's the front of Penelope

Side views. I love the pocket with the webbing. Stuff is very secure in there (good for a water bottle, or maybe a skein of yarn if you're KIPing?). Not sure if you can make out the contrast stitches, but I love it. The other pocket, I'm not in love with... yet. I'm not sure what's supposed to go in there, but it feels like it would fall out fairly easily. Also, and perhaps the biggest negative of the bag, is if you look at the top, you can see that the bag does not completely close... the zipper at the top does NOT incorporate the sides of the bag, which means if it gets turned upside down, the keys might fall out (if you had put them in here... not sure why you would, but just in case). Oh! Another terrific feature, while I'm mentioning keys, is that tiny zippered pocket on the back. Perfect for your car/house keys. It would also be a good spot to keep money for the subway, or change for the meter.

This close up shows the front pocket. You've got two larger pockets for your cell phone and iPod, or PDA. Three pen loops, some space to hold your wallet (and I've got a largish sized wallet)... and another inside zip pocket.

the inside. Where you see my copy of LMKG, is where my laptop will go when I'm using this as a school bag. I like that this pocket is sewn in, and padded... so I don't have to use my laptop sleeve. The main pocket is rather large, would fit a textbook and a regulation sized binder, and then there's a large inside zip. There are so many pockets, I just don't know what I would do with them all!

The best part of this bag? The name. The Go Girl Messenger bag. Seeing as I feel like i'm always on the go... and it's not too expensive (about a third of what I would've spent on a Timbuk2 bag, after all the bells and whistles).

Here's what I've been knitting on, furiously, when I get any chance to knit. I'm ignoring some projects that have deadlines, (but the recipients don't know I'm knitting for them), b/c I am in love with this yarn.

It's the premier color collection by Lonesome Stone, handpainted yummy 100% alpaca yarn, fingering/sock weight (7 sts/inch on US2s) and 665 yards per skein. Purchased... where else? Colorful Yarns. Most obviously, a clapotis in the making. To make up for the fineness of the yarn, i added a repeate to section 2, and I'm making it longer than prescribed. The alpaca part should make this sucker plenty warm. Hard to gauge right now, b/c there's usually a cat in the lap while I'm knitting.

Two more weeks, and I'll have finished my first semester as a doctoral student. It's gonna be a very l o n g two weeks for me.

Still feasting

2006-11-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

but the famine will begin tomorrow. Both in food, knitting, and posting on the blog. I've been working on the clapotis redux (um... retrois?) almost non stop. can't stop knitting on it. I love the colors and the hand of this yarn. Initially, I was concerned about the thinness (i'm using US3s, which is for most ppl, a US2) but it's alpaca, and it's plenty warm. No pics, b/c I'm not smart enough to remember to take one in the midst of all the picture taking

The biggest news of the day... my mittens, hand knit by Celia came today!! They're my early b-day pressie from her. I love the color, I love the cable, and I love the fit!! I'm especially glad she did the thumb gusset on the side, b/c it feels unnatural (to me) for the gusset to be in the front.

aren't they purty??

RED ALERT!! RED ALERT!!

2006-11-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

ok. I can't send out a batman style knitting symbol out there b/c what I have to say and share is not REALLY knitting related. Unless.... UNLESS you're on the search for the perfect bag.

Purseuing is a blog... all about bags. I've already fallen in love with over 80% of the bags there... but check out the novelty bags.

There are bags specifically for your tampons. To keep you "menstrually organized." HA HA!

I'll leave you to search to your heart's desire. But don't blame me if you end up with a bigger Xmas wishlist! I'm just passing along information.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

2006-11-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ironically, the theme song to the show based in Boston... signifies Denver for me. I was able to slip away to Denver for a fun filled long weekend. My only complaint is that it was too short. :(

Some of you (those only interested in knitting?) should probably just skip this post, as my blog is multifunctional. I'm more than happy to entertain you all with my funny stories featuring my parents, but the blog also helps me remember what's happened in my life.)

I called a cab to come get me at the buttcrack of dawn, 4am, since my flight was at 6am. I arrived in Denver at 1030am, and my friend Preggo (who's not preggo anymore) and her 2 kiddos came to get me. The red headed monster (RHM) has grown SO much since I last saw him, and it makes me sad that i've missed it. Our 'thing' since he was born (actually, before he was born) was to go to Sweet Tomatoes. I wish the east coast had some of these restaurants out here! I got to hang out with them until Stacey and Michelle came to pick me up. It was sooo good to see my grrlz. Unfortunately, they had to endure a half naked red headed monster (um, the dangly bits were the naked bits) b/c they came when he was just trying to go poopy in the potty. He had just told Preggo that "this poopy isn't for YOU mommy, it's for CynCyn." Never has such a disgusting sentiment made me feel so honored. :) You know you love a kid when you're willing to sit in the bathroom with him so you can admire his, um, excretions.

After I said goodbye to the RHM, Stacey and Michelle tooke me over to THE SHOP to see what new inventory had come in... and to see Tiffany and Carmen, of course! The Tepper Jackson bags, the huge selection of cherry tree hill yarn, lorna's laces, all sorts of new goodies. We couldn't stay too long, b/c we had to meet Jeni, Wanda, Nachaele, for dinner, then all of us met up with Joanne, Sheila, Michaele, and Kim, and Tiffany. It was so nice to catch up with everyone, and to see them!

On Saturday, I met up with Michelle, her DH, (almost forgot to congratulate them! it was the first time I'd seen them since the wedding), and Jeni for lunch. We had a HUGE meal of dumplings from Lao Wang Noodle House, and I'm glad that everyone seemed to enjoy (dumplings are just about my favorite thing to eat). Saturday afternoon was spent in a high state of stress and anxiety as I watched THE GAME (Michigan vs OSU), in which the outcome was not to my liking. But I quickly stopped pouting as we sat down for my Thanksgiving dinner. MMMMM. I love thanksgiving. friends AND food. Preggo had invited some of my friends over for a Thanksgiving feast for me, since i couldn't afford a plane ticket for the actual day of thanksgiving. Since she knows how much I love it. It's my abs. favorite holiday. We had roast sticky chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing, baked mac and cheese, green bean casserole, mandarin orange salad with candied almonds, and this INCREDIBLE red wine. Smooth, no bite.

Let's not mention dessert (pumpkin cheesecake and apple spice dump cake... plus vanilla ice cream) b/c I was still stuffed when I stuffed that down my gullet too.

Preggo dressed up the littlest one in the Halloween outfit I made for him (Teddy Bear All in One by Debbie Bliss)

It really was a relatively quick knit (the joys of baby knits). I used Rowan cash soft for the body, and fiddled with gauge and sizing. Sorry i can't be more specific, but if you've ever knit a DB pattern, then you know how it is to improvise on the fly b/c her patterns are so shitty. I mean, lacking in details. I couldn't find choc. brown yarn in the same gauge to save my life, and used some mercerized cotton (probably Tahki).
Preggo and I stayed up late chatting and laughing, and it was much fun to surprise RHM the next morning. I got to spend some time playing with him, then went for brunch with Preggo and some of our old work friends.
I met the grrlz at Colorful yarns, then we headed for dinner (so, yes, I was either eating, sleeping, or knitting the entire time) at a Vietnamese restaurant. We headed back to Stacey's to hang out (and knit), and stayed up entirely too late.

On Monday morning, Stacey took me back over to Preggo's house so I could spend a bit of time with RHM and say goodbye. I think I took it harder than he did. We had gone for a nice walk, during which he begged me not to go back to Boston. I think it tears me up b/c I didn't really want to come back either.

Wanda, Michelle and Jeni met up with Stacey and I for lunch, then power knitting at the shop. A shipment of the weekender bags from Tepper Jackson came in, and I couldn't help myself. I got a weekender (Dial) and a couple skeins of Lonesome Stone Alpaca in the River Runs To It colorway. (lovely purple and green variegation). I knew I wouldn't be able to get out of the shop without some souvenirs!

and this project is basically ALL I worked on over the weekend. I had this fantasy of finishing this sweater up before i left, and if I had half a brain, I would've read teh directions more carefully and FINISHED it.

The top pic is the sleeves, which went beautifully. Michelle gave me a great tip for knitting 2 sleeves at once (pin them together so you don't accidentally knit one sleeve twice while ignoring the other). The body of the Robin Hood Jacket... was sorta finished. Except I messed up the hood (used the cable pattern instead of seed stitch) so that will be ripped back. But, all things considered, I'm very pleased.

The opposite of knitting

2006-11-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy few days, and I didn't even notice that I didn't do my weekly post about not knitting. :) But I have been doing some knitting. I finally finished up the Matthew Shepard Seaman Scarf that I knit for the International Scarf Exchange 3. I went and got a few extra goodies to pack into the box that should be able to ship off tomorrow.

I got a rush from finishing the scarf, so I moved on... and in all good conscious, I could NOT start another project... not when I've got

1) Irish Hiking Scarf (using the Berroco Ultra Alpaca that Stacey sent me)

2) This pattern from Garnstudio, with some of my Brooks Farm Yarn stash.

3) Spork. Which is a thorn in my side.

4) Madli
5) Mystery Lace Stole
6) Reid, from Knitty
7 & 8) 2 pairs of socks (one in Opal, one in Hill Country Yarns)
9) Clapotis, redux
10) hooded cardi (from Big Girl knits... with the 2 colors? whazzit called?) using Rowan Calmer

I know i have more projects going, but i've already started to develop a rash by listing them all...

11) Robin Hood Jacket from Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor... is what I picked up.

I'm using the DB merino chunky that I had bought waaaaay back in the day. It's a great olive-y green color, which will look smashing on Preggo's oldest son (the red headed monster that's been featured here a few times). I feel guilty that I've knit his baby brother quite a few items, but that he doesn't have any hand knit love from his CynCyn.

Here's where I explain how I've done the opposite of knitting. I finished the back section, cast on for left front, finished, and the right front. I want to get the hood done too, and was dreaming that I could get this thing done by Thanksgiving. Since you are supposed to block BEFORE you seam, I decided to block last night... and the thing is gigantic! what's supposed to be 15 inches long, is 20. What's supposed to be 14 inches across, is 15. I guess I could've kept going and just given it to Michelle, but dang.
Fortunately, I can pull it longer, which makes it narrower... So, tonight?

RIPPIT. Just far enough back to get the right length. I'd have a lot more FOs if I could get stuff done the first time around. The other thought (from Celia) is that I used too big a needle... hence the huge blooming. Maybe the whole thing gets ripped (which makes me SO sad, b/c I already wove in ends, dammit!)

I'll post pics of everything once they've dried. Have a great week everyone!

Happy Halloween!!!

2006-10-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

also, PSA: Blue Moon is taking names and pre registering folks for the 2007 STR Club...

it's the little things...

2006-10-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

Mondays are my Sundays. I went to the grocery store. And was delighted by:

Did you all know that a certain friend of mine hates anything that has to do with bananas? (except banana bread... but what kind of freakazoid doesn't LOVE banana bread?) I thought the only reason she would be converted was for the cute sticker.

the rest of the piccies are self explanatory. I wish I could take pictures of pictures. Preggo sent me pics of the baby wearing the clothes I had knit for him. SO CUTE!!! Maybe I'll find a way to get her hubby to send the pic to me via email so I can share.

the importance of being nosy

2006-10-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

As many of you may or may not know, my full time job is being a student. Even though I love learning, and having someone else foot the bill so I can stay in Neverland are two HUGE perks, I wouldn't keep studying this stuff if it wasn't interesting. Have I shared what I'm studying?

Counseling psychology. Not so very different from the more familiar clinical psychology.

I've found a way to make money being nosy. Perfect.

But being nosy definitely has it's downsides.

For example, I had to go to school on Friday to catch up on some work, and visit the health center to get some immunizations/vaccinations. (the Hep B and Tetanus, for those of you who are especially nosy). While I'm filling out my paperwork, an undergrad sidles up to the window. He asks about getting student health insurance now (the deadline was about 3 weeks ago) because he's got "sort of an emergency." The lady at the desk asks, what kind? And he dramatically leans over towards the plastic window and says "is there somewhere we can talk in... private?" She asks him to take a seat, and then it's my turn. I hand in the paperwork, find out they've lost my appointment, and while they're trying to figure that one out, the young man with the secret hush hush 'emergency' is behind me, certainly NOT respecting MY privacy, with ants in his pants. A nurse finally came over to talk to him in "private" about his "emergency" which I have to think has something to do with the "ants in his pants."

Because really... what kind of "private emergency" does an undergrad boy have that doesn't involve his family jewels?

Anyway. I'm alive. Studying. Thinking about renaming this blog "not much knitting"

Oh, what a feeling...

2006-10-23T18:46:00.000-06:00

cause we're dancing on the ceiling!! (thanks Lionel...)

seriously, folks. Jeni and Stacey arrived bright and early on Friday morning. We needed sustenance for our plans for the day, and headed to breakfast. Then we began our weekend journey.

First stop: WEBS. Those two went a bit crazy, (which I can understand... remember this? We bumped into Melanie, Kellee, and Elisa. Reportedly, Elisa misspoke while talking about NY Sheep and Wool, renaming it, appropriately, Yarnbeck. Which I like better than Rhinebeck.

In any case, second go around at WEBS, I was much more well behaved.

we've got a skein of some mega boots stretch meilenweit sock yarn, a skein of plymouth yarn linen isle, and a hank of valley yarns kangaroo dyer lace weight (950 yds) in the handd atlantis colorway. I needed the linen in order to get the discount (spend an extra $3.50 so i could get 20% off? heck yeah).

We hopped back in the car for the other half of the drive, and got to our hotel. Since we were all up at the crack of dawn AND we wanted to be well rested for the next day's festivities, we went to bed early. We awoke at the ass crack of dawn, simply too excited for Yarnbeck. We got there OBSCENELY early. We had time to wander around, look at all the different sheepies (i loved the baby dolls... I kinda want a few for my back yard when I grow up!)

A lovely man from some alpaca farm let us ask all sorts of nosy questions about his alpacas. He gave us a mini lecture about the differences between llamas and alpacas. I also wanted to know about baby alpacas, b/c well, that's my favorite kind of alpaca yarn, right? If you aren't sitting down already, sit down. Baby alpaca fiber? NOT from a baby alpaca!!!!! Are you SHOCKED? I was flabbergasted by this information. This nice man (dang, how did I spend 20 min talking to a man.. and NOT know his name?) pulled out this little tactile demonstration of the differences in alpaca fiber (four different grades... he had little burlap sacs filled with roving from the 4 different grades). The baby alpaca is the finest (thinnest) of alpaca fibers... which is why it feels so soft. If someone had been videotaping me during those 20 minutes, I swear a little lightbulb would've turned on above my head when he explained all of that...

we noticed someone walking around with a vendor bag... and rushed back over to where The Fold was located, in order to get our fill of Socks That Rock. I was quite restrained, if I do say myself... 2 skeins. Puck's Mischief and Lagoon.

Honestly, the rest of the morning was a big blur. We wandered from booth to booth, building to building. I'm quite the pre-planner, and had printed out the names of all the vendors and the booth/building locations of the ones I wanted to visit FOR SURE. I tried to be systematic about it. The plan was met with limited success.

Here's a pic of all the stuff I got at Rhinebeck.

A skein of Sea Purls from Briar Rose, sock yarn from The Fold, sock yarn from Spirit Trail, some super soft wool/angora from Jamie Harmon, a skein of lace weight from Skaska, a company out of Ft Collins, CO, and a needle case from Crippenworks. All in all, I don't feel like i went COMPLETELY crazy, and in fact, i'm kind of wondering why I didn't buy MORE. Then I look to the left at my stash, and wonder why I bought so much. No buyer's remorse though. I'm all fired up to cast on for about 10 more projects!!

Somewhere in the frenzy, we ate some fried artichockes and some french fries smothered in cheese. Obviously, we made it to blogger meet up, where I was able to cross off quite a few on my bingo card... and see the Yarn Harlot in person (holy kamoly, the wedding shawl is prettier in person. I know, hard to believe, but really!). I also finally got to meet Monica, who I've been blogstalking forever... how fun was that!!!

Totally exhuasted, we left the fairgrounds... because it was closing time. I would've stayed longer and bought more, if the booths were open past 5pm. Sigh.

I was complete. Rhinebeck had me at "hello."

* to answer the questions... no, that mountain of yarn in the previous post is NOT all mine. As some of you (most recently Kim) noticed, there is PINK yarn in that pile. PINK yarn will never be something that I've acquired for myself.

Yarnbeck or bust

2006-10-22T10:38:00.000-06:00

just a quick drive by blog post, b/c a full length description would take me way too long while Jeni and Stacey are in town.

we came.

we saw.

we conquered

details to come.

Nothing to say? Post a pic of your cat.

2006-10-17T16:53:00.000-06:00

To keep it knitting related...

I was knitting away a couple weekends ago, and had a few balls of that Elsepeth
Lavold Chunky AL... and Cosmo decided it would make a nice pillow.

Taken JUST now. My two cats have taken over my IKEA poang chair, and they've decided to share it fairly peacefully (usually). This is their favorite position. Second favorite is the yin-yang (but, it just looks like one big ball of black cat).

Ok. I won't post until the post-Rhinebeck report. Wish us luck (that we come home with some $$ left in the bank account).

Kitschy Stitchy

2006-10-15T17:28:00.000-06:00

Following a busy week of school, I tagged along with some other Boston knitters to cheer Stitchy at another book signing.

In my new Boston naivete, I ascertained through mbta.com that it would take me an hour by bus or by train, and since it was only 4 miles away, that I would drive. Hmm. Bad idea. Driving entailed driving through Harvard U, and horrible traffic on a Friday evening. Who am I to interrupt students on their way out to their bar crawl? I made it to the book signing with elevated blood pressure, but was quickly soothed by laughter from Deb's trunk show. Having other fun bloggers to talk to didn't hurt either. Kelly, Bookish, Maryse, and Carol were there as well. And Stitchy dragged her brother, SIL, and darling niece to the show for us to ooh and aah over.

As for me, i have no real news to report. No real knitting news except I scored some birthday gift yarn for Michelle who's b-day was yesterday. I'm also working furiously on my scarf exchange scarf. Not very exciting to be working on 4x4 ribbing.

However, I'm super excited that both Stacey and Jeni will be here in less than a week. Rhinebeck and Webs, here we come!!! I do have to survive school this week before I can indulge in all the fun though.

Next post: pics of Rhinebeck!!

Please, Please Mister Postman

2006-10-06T20:02:00.000-06:00

Everyone's curious about what was in that airmail for me!!

Celia sent me a thank you gift! When I went to WEBS a couple weeks ago, I had all good intention of only buying yarn for Celia... she wants to make her bun in the oven a Lizard Ridge baby blanky out of Silk Garden. Unfortunately, I was unable to control myself, and got myself quite a bit o yarn. Anyway, she picked out this lovely Online Cashmerino (14% cashmere, 56% superwash merino, 30% microfiber) and sent me a skein of handpainted sock yarn (in her jungle colorway). I can't wait to knit something up with this OH SO SOFT yarn, in such a rich beautiful red color. Any suggestions for patterns? I have enough for a shell or tank. Let's please not mention the fact that those Tim Tam's have already been broken into... and no one can see how many have already been consumed (inhaled...). Now I know what the fuss is all about!!!

With the yarn that Ms Sheepiness sent me a few weeks ago, I started the Irish Hiking Scarf. After working on the Matthew Shepard Seaman scarf with the Rowan Wool/Cotton on US3s... the Irish Hiking Scarf feels like it's going miraculously fast. I knit on it a bit last night and I've already got over 4-5 inches knit up.

My brain has gone numb, which means it has stopped hurting. My eye twitch has gone away.... Sounds like things are improving, no? I think my body has re-acclimated it's basal level of stress, so that I feel less... overwhelmed. I take pleasure in the very small things in life now... like being able to knit 4-5 rows between classes on Thursday. And, having a few of my classmates compliment my Noro Shrug (the one I made out of the Paintbox). I love having knitters compliment it (b/c they know how much work went into knitting it) and having a non-knitter compliment it makes me feel like they can't tell it's handmade. Why is that important to me?

Give a small inch, Take a MILE.

2006-09-29T16:04:00.000-06:00

So, I was punished for my indiscretion. Everyone knows that I need no more yarn. Especially at the rate I'm knitting? (about 5 stitches per week), I have no business even going into the hallowed ground of WEBS, much less walk out with a huge bag stuffed full of yarn.

what? what was that? you want to see what I bought?

What we see is the big ass pile of yarn. I just couldn't make myself branch

out from my favorite color -blue/green-. I tried!! I really did! The cash iroha, I almost bought the purple color instead, b/c I also like purple and I can easily see how much blue/green I have in my stash by turning my neck about 5 degrees to the left. But the Boston bloggers convinced me that this color was better (they had to twist my arm, i swear!). The silky tweed was almost brown or midnight blue instead, b/c there were only 6 skeins of this lovely color... until someone (can't remember who in the broo ha ha) pointed out that there was more of this stuff in the front room.

I think hour glass with the cash iroha, and I found an elsepeth lavold pattern for the silky tweed. (the one in orange, bottom right, and on the cover).

I also bought a few skeins of silk garden, but that was shipped off to Celia posthaste. She wants to make her baby a lizard ridge blanky, and who am I to deny her access to clearanced Silk Garden?

I also enjoyed some SheepMail! I had coerced a few friends (Michelle, Jeni, Stacey...) to join the Grey's Anatomy KAL. Stacey, being such a good friend and all, sent me

I also got my Socks That Rock club yarn a week or so ago. and I LOVE IT. The first two shipments were a little bit disappointing, to tell the truth. I see that it's lovely yarn, but the colorways were... so PINK. Wanda took one skein off my hands, and I'm trying to convince myself that I like the other skein. But this skein? It was luuuuv at first sight.

After all that goodness, I was due a downfall. I was not disappointed.
Just as I was sitting here at home, gloating over my yarn purchases on Sunday, feeling oh so satisfied with my life... ring ring ring!!! The special ring tone that I have assigned to my parents (um. ok. I'll admit that my parents are the ONLY ones with a special ring tone. The one that says "if you're tired, you don't have to bother trying to find the phone because it's just your parents." I know. You don't have to say it. Bad bad daughter. It was 11am, and I decided I was too comfy on my couch (never you mind that the phone was also on the couch).

* the following "amusing to you all, but not amusing to me" parent story is dedicated to Maryse. Everyone go give that girl some encouragement (the french version of my parents, aka HER parents, are visiting her for 2 weeks).

1pm. RING RING RING RING. (sigh!)

230pm. RING RING RING RING. (sigh! eye roll. SIGH! eye roll. SIGH.)

4pm. RING RING RING RING. (Cyn's blood pressure goes up about 20 pts).

5pm. RING RING RING...
At this point, I wanted to just throw the phone out the window. But, I don't live on the 11th floor of the building anymore. I live in the basement. Throwing the phone out the window won't solve my problem, unless I happen to throw it hard enough that it ends up under the tracks of the subway. I snatched the freaking fricking fracking phone up and pushed the green button so hard, i'm not sure why my phone didn't bust right then and there. I"m sure that the grip I had on my phone wasn't anything to sneeze at either.

me: "HELLO" (with a very pissed off tone)

dad: "CynCyn-ah... where have you been all day?"

me: "I'm studying Dad."

dad: "oh, you're at the library?"

me: "no, i'm at home, but i've been studying. Which, by the way? when you call and call and call? don't do that. If I don't answer, leave a message, and I'll call you back when I have TIME. Don't keep calling and calling and calling. It's kind of... annoying."

dad: "....."

me: "I'll call you back if you leave a message. But if you call and I don't answer it means that I AM BUSY."

dad: "oh, you're busy?"

me: "um. yeah dad. the PhD program kind of keeps me busy."

dad: "oh, is it a lot of work?"

me: (grrrrrrr, what does he think? that the PhD program is a piece of cake? shits and giggles all the time?) "um, yeah dad. there's a lot of work involved."

The rest of the convo was me telling him what I needed (my immunization records). Which they denied that they had (but I knew they had).

530pm. RING RING RING RING!!! (grrrr)

Dad: So, we found your immunization records. Why do you need them?

Me: (notice that there's no mention that I was right?) My school needs them as proof that I'm not carrying some disease around like vermin dad.

Dad: well, that's ridiculous. You were born and raised in the USA. How do they expect that you got schooled in the US if you didn't get your immunizations?

Me: Sigh. Dad, I don't know. They just need them ok? I don't make the rules. Can you just send them to me please?

Dad: Well, I see that you got the blah blah blah in 1976, and then again in..

Me: Dad? I dont' need to know the dates of every vaccine I got. I just NEED THE RECORDS.

Dad: Oh. Well, it looks like your last immunization was in 1993.

Me: Yes Dad, I know. But I don't need to know all that, I JUST NEED YOU TO SEND ME THE FORM.

Dad: Oh. Ok.

6pm. RING RING RING RING (are you fucking KIDDING ME?????)

Me: YES???

Dad: We made a copy. We'll send you the copy. We'll keep the original form here so you don't lose it.

Me: (thinking, jesus and mary. I'm 30 yrs old. If I can't be trusted to keep track of my own shit, maybe someone should call my school and tell them I'm WAY too stupid to get a PhD. what the EFF were THEY thinking accepting me?) Dad. I have my own birth certificate, my passport, quite a few important papers that I've managed not to lose. You can send me the original forms. But if it makes YOU feel better to have the original, then fine. send me the copy.

Dad: Ok. We'll send you the copy.

Is it just me? or did the point of what I said just completely fly over his head? My Dad and I got in a rip roaring fight a couple weeks before I moved to Boston (because every girl who's picking up all her shit and leaving all her friends needs MORE stress. Didn't you know?) During THAT fun conversation, I told my dad that he doesn't listen to me. He doesn't hear what I'm saying. To which he got offended and said, what? when don't i listen to you? you're being silly.

sigh.

630pm. RING RING RING RING (holy mary. someone just kill me. I might go throw MYSELF in front of the subway)

Me: "YES?"
Dad: "we sent you some stuff from CA."
Me: "ok"
Dad: "we'll send the immunization records"
Me: "yes. ok"
Dad: "ok... so, have you talked to your brother?"

now. didn't you all notice that I said I was busy and that the PhD program had a lot of work to go with it? Does he really think I have time for him to call and call and call and call and call? Ok. My bad that I didn't answer the phone the first four times he called. But really.

Thank God, or whoever the powers that be, that he is back to work today. I think that my father, is the MOST annoying man alive when he's on vacation.

I know. You don't have to say it. bad bad ungrateful daughter.

Blepherospasms... and yarngasms.

2006-09-22T23:46:00.000-06:00

Doesn't that sound... exciting? Like I've been having FUN? Obviously, the yarngasm is a positive thing. Our favorite Wendy invited me to tag along as a whack of the Boston knitters trekked over to Western Mass to attend Deb's first stop on her book tour.

We needed to bolster Deb's spirits first. We sacrificed ourselves in the name of knitterly love, and all of us shopped with her at Webs. In our short stay, most of us left with at least one large bag crammed full of yarn. Though I have forgotten to take pictures of my take, but I do have pictures of fiber heaven.

Webs is separated into two distinct sections. The front room is organized like a typical (well, nicer than typical) yarn store. With shelves, lots of light, pattern books, notions, etc. Then we've got the warehouse in the back.

As you enter the warehouse, you're greeted by this site... CARTS!! Large grocery shopping carts. Only in my dreams would I be running around the store with a shopping cart (though, i must admit, i almost needed one).

Do you SEE the size of these aisles? It's a bit misleading that each aisle is called "aisle 100, 200, 300, etc" but with about 8 aisles that are long long long, still feel quite overwhelmed. There are HUGE boxes STUFFED full of yarn, piled up to the tippy top of the warehouse. This warehouse... knitters could live out there dream of ROLLING around in the yarn. Jumping into one of those huge styrofoam pits filled with YARN. Sigh.

After all of us had our yarngasms, we schlepped over to have a bite to eat, and to get Deb a drink before her very first book presentation. Her talk was hilarious, punctuated by her trunk show of example pieces from the MOKS (Museum of Kitschy Stitches).

After the talk, many of us did some more collecting, but instead of yarn, we got some books. We then hopped over to Salvation Army, in search of odds and ends. our next stop was the fabric store (during which someone who doesn't sew took a nap instead), followed by dinner. Wendy, Kristin (a medical student with free time?), Marcy, Elisa, Kelly (yarn pusher of the highest order... not only does she know about the deals, she knows what you should make with it!), Deb, her husband, and Maryse!. It was really nice to finally meet someone who i've been blogstalking for quite some time. And she's funnier in person as she is on her blog.

When I dragged my sorry ass home at some time past 9pm (we had left bright and early at 8am), I was exhausted, but in the very best of ways. My eye twitch, while not quite a blephorspasm, disappeared (after having been present for about 5 days), only to reappear at the mere mention of school reading.

Next post will include the haul from WEBS.

Meet my new man*

2006-09-18T01:47:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately for me, I speak not of a real flesh and blood man, but aMiranda kind of man. Someone who will thoughtfully obey my every whim, read my mind, and entertain me for hours on end. Still stumped?

I'm getting my very own TiVo. A TiVo!

I'll now move onto yarn related items. Such as...

We've got 2 skeins of worsted weight, a skein of lace weight, and a skein of dk weight that I got in an SP swap from Susan. We used jacquard acid dyes and some kool aid. I wish I had more experience, and had more time, b/c obviously I rushed through dying the dk and lace weight yarns. However, I kind of like them anyway. Especially the greens... The only colors I don't LOVE in my experiments... that neon green/yellow in the worsted weights, and the red in the lace weight.
Although Maggie was kind enough to make up some sugar scrub (infused with lilac) and helped me bleach my hands back to their original color (cough cough, someone was too impatient to keep working with latex gloves on, cough cough), my nail cuticles still show evidence of my penchant to dye with dark colors.

So. lessons learned
1) chose a nice coolish day with a nice breeze
2) have at least 3 ppl at your dye party. One who knows what they're doing, one who is organized, and one who cooks well.
3). mix PLENTY of dye. use it judiciously. You do NOT need to let your yarn swim in it, but you DO need enough to saturate the yarn.
4) if you like your outdoor furniture, get one of those cheap plastic picnic table covers and tape it down. trust. the saran wrap that you'll be laying down? doesn't help much.
5) try the kool aid! it's quite fun, and is the easiest and least messy.

To take care of your hands afterwards
1) in a bowl, make a solution of bleach + water. liberally rub around on your hands and use the nail brush.
2) follow up with a sugar scrub (scoop some sugar into palm. add some olive oil) it'll make your hands feel like a baby's bottom.

Today was a good day to dye.

2006-09-16T23:10:00.000-06:00

Bookish Wendy invited me along to a dye party over at Maggie's house. As with most knitting/fiber related meet ups, there was fabulous food (including pulled pork sandwiches, vegetable lasagna, homemade gumbo, fruit galore, and more desserts than you can shake a stick at)... and a fabulous time to be had.

Stitchy, Melanie, Martha (maker of fab delish gumbo), Maggie, Lynn (does she have a blog?), Wendy and I spent the entire time either eating or dying yarn.

I had meant to take pictures, depicting the process, but unless you just WATCH everyone else, there's no way you can take pics w/o getting your camera dirty. We soaked our yarn in cold water for 20 minutes, then Lynn and Maggie mixed up some dye bottles. We had a blast squirting, squishing, saran wrapping, and steaming up our yarn. After an hour in the steamer, we unwrapped, cooled, and rinsed our yarns.

Wanna see what I made? Come back tomorrow. It's drip drying in my bathtub.

*Time, time ticking, ticking, ticking away…

2006-09-15T00:12:00.000-06:00

It would be too difficult for my tired brain to separate my first and second weeks from each other... so I'll just talk about both weeks. The report won't be much different, seeing as the past two weeks have been one huge long blur.

Saying so, however, here are some impressions...
1) we had an orientation meeting on my first day, in which I became even more unoriented (still didn't know my schedule, still had no idea about the lay of the land, still had no idea about the classes, professors, my classmates, campus facts, etc)

2) after figuring out that I did indeed have 6 classes this semester, but only met with 4 or 5 of them every week, I enthusiastically downloaded the syllabi, ordered books from the best online textbook store ever, I then found out that the professors like to keep us on our toes by changing textbooks the day before class. Nice, huh?

3) I have 5 of my 6 classes in the same room. Is that so my doctoral program resembles, as closely as it can, a prison?

4) I have a 4.5 hour break on my Wednesdays between classes. Or, at least I thought it was a break. no no. That time is time to meet with professors, go print out articles to read for the next class or day or week (depending on how far behind I am already), and go to my research meetings.

5) My brain can actually hurt. Kinda like how I'm sure my muscles that become flabby from disuse, did my brain become flabby? and is now sore b/c I didn't exercise it enough? I kind of hope so, b/c that means that after about 2 weeks, my brain can stop hurting and it'll be a lean, mean fighting machine.

After being assigned an unimaginable amount of reading to do, freaking out b/c some professors seem to think we'll have time to finish reading EARLIER than class and are requiring us to turn stuff in 2 days PRIOR to class (hullo? i'm a procrastinator. having the reading done EARLY does NOT work for ME)... oh. er, I kind of lost my train of thought. sorry.

I did enjoy my weekend. Bookish invited me over on Sunday for a day of entertainment. Namely, watching her DH watch football. Sounds weird, yes? But I can assure you, watching her DH and their menagerie of animals during the football games is indeed, highly entertaining. Who knew that watching competitive sports when you don't really care who wins could be so enjoyable? I mostly worked on the scarf for my ISE 3 pal, after ripping out about 10 rows I had knit after classes my first week. I'm a quick learner, so no more knitting from a chart on school days.

The only other moment that is worth mentioning this week... my mild myocardial infarction. Boston College might be a highly revered/respected institution of higher learning, but they need to learn a thing or two about organization. I knew I was missing paperwork from the school, but wasn't too worried. My cohort and I went out to dinner on Wed night to get to know each other, and when I got home, I had the missing paperwork in my mailbox. These papers were supposed to detail who my faculty advisor is, how many course credits they were going to pay for, how many hours per week I would be enslaved to my faculty advisor, and how much they were gonna pay me for said enslavement. I had been told the amt when they made me the offer, and the actual letter only awarded me HALF the monies. HALF is not enough to pay for my rent, much less any portion of other living costs. The only reason I got any sleep at all, is b/c I was so freaking tired (class for 6 hrs, 2 meetings, and dinner with 6 ppl I don't know very well... I was bone weary).

For those of you that know me...I was in bed by midnight. MIDNIGHT! Unheard of for me. To make my longer than necc. story longer, the director of training told me not to worry, that the faculty were aware of the error, and that I was going to be awarded the original amt offered. Dude. If they KNEW there was an error, why didn't they warn me about the erroneous info that was gonna be coming my way BEFORE it got to me? BEFORE I spent an entire day with my anxiety levels cranked up to level RED?

So. No classes tomorrow, but I stayed up to do homework. What is this world coming to?

*borrowing from my friend Joanne. Anyone care to guess? WITHOUT googling?

Yarntainer*

2006-09-09T19:10:00.000-06:00

*aka... why Cynthia hasn't been yarn shopping since moving to Boston.

I have more pics I need to take/show, of the sleeve out of Rowan Calmer, the clapotis redux (winter version), and whatever else I've allowed myself to cast on for while moving.

I do have some pics to share now though. Of the ever so incredible and every knitter should have one, Yarntainer, brought to you by IKEA (I have the one that's four cubbies x four cubbies, in the black brown).

If you look closely, you can see my Ikea chair (aka, where Cyn sits b/c she has no couch). I have the tv tray set up to hold remotes and my diet coke (or, my books and my binders). And underneath the coffee table, you see the huge bin of WIPs.

Close ups?

I also wanted to show you all, and especially Stacey, the yarn I bought in NYC at School Products, which I visited with Jeni.

Ok. I'm watching the US Open right now, and I've been missing all the important points. I'll blog about my first week of school later.